Former Royal Marine compares 'broken' A&E to war zone as he lashes out at Tories

06 January 2023 , 14:37

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Brian McGarry, left, has described the conditions in a hospital's A&E department as like being in a 'war zone' (Image: BNPS)

A former Royal Marine has likened hospital A&E waiting times to a 'war zone' as he has lashed out at the Tory Government for the current NHS crisis.

The ex-marine has now gone on to say that "the emergency service and NHS is broken," as he has expressed his frustration "with the system".

Brian McGarry, 61, has described the conditions as being like a war zone, after arriving to a packed waiting room at his local hospital.

The 61-year-old was forced to drive himself to Salisbury Hospital, Wiltshire - despite calling for an ambulance - after experiencing symptoms of a tight chest and was struggling to breathe.

When he arrived at the accident and emergency room, he found it packed and chaotic, and was informed that he would need to wait several hours before he would even be triaged.

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Mr McGarry said: "On entering the A&E department the scene was chaotic, it was like a war zone. There were people sitting on the floor and the waiting area was packed.

"On talking to the receptionist she informed me that it would be at least three hours before I was even triaged. I took one look at the scene and decided I would be better off at home.

"Fortunately I had a pre-booked appointment with my own GP early the next morning so I knew I just had to get through the night.

"I am sure my experience is not unique - we are supposed to be a developed country, however the emergency service and NHS is broken."

Mr McGarry says he wants 'some support from the country to which I have dedicated my working life' (PA)

The 61-year-old went on to say that he is 'shocked' with the current operation of the NHS system, as he says that he needs "some support from the country" he has served.

He continued to say: "It is difficult to put into words how frustrated I am with the system, it is shocking.

"It has now been 12 years of a Conservative government and this has not happened overnight.

"I have given all my working life to the service of my country and am proud to have done so.

"Now at the age of 61, I need some support from the country to which I have dedicated my working life."

Following his expereince, Mr McGarry, who served in the Royal Navy, the Marines and the police, has written to his local MP and the health secretary.

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A&E wait times around the UK have been compared to a 'war zone' (PA)

Mr McGarry, who lives in north Dorset, said he appreciates the pressures the health service is under, exacerbated by the recent nurse strikes.

A Department for Health and Social Care spokesman said: "We have prioritised health and social care in the autumn statement with up to £14.1 billion over the next two years, and have announced a new taskforce to turbo-charge our current plans to bust the backlog caused by the pandemic and help patients get the treatment they need.

"We are supporting the NHS through winter by creating the equivalent of at least 7,000 more beds, working with the most challenged trusts to reduce ambulance handover delays, and investing £500 million to speed up the safe discharge of people who no longer need to be in hospital."

Milica Cosic