Wales' newest emergency department is putting patients at risk due to excessive waiting times, uncomfortable conditions and significant overcrowding, inspectors have warned. Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) carried out an unannounced inspection of A&E at The Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran over three consecutive days in August.
While they found dedicated staff striving to deliver good-quality care to patients, HIW said they were hamstrung by the environment in which they worked. Inspectors said some patients had been waiting on uncomfortable chairs and in the back of ambulances for more than 15 hours and described the waiting area as "very small, cramped and unfit for purpose".
They warned that the waiting room and rapid assessment unit (RAU) were not conducive to providing dignified care and added that the department would not be able to address many of their concerns until the flow of patients was improved.
