Patients Face 12-Hour Waits at Yeovil Hospital as Pregnant Woman Forced to Sleep on Floor Amid NHS Crisis
Patients at Yeovil District Hospital have been left outraged and distressed after reports emerged of a sick pregnant woman being forced to sleep on the floor while others endured excruciating 12-hour waits to see a doctor. The scenes highlight the escalating strain on the NHS and the crumbling state of healthcare provision in Somerset.
A Desperate Situation Unfolds
Witnesses described heartbreaking scenes in the hospital's overcrowded waiting area, where patients — including vulnerable individuals and those in severe discomfort — were left without adequate seating, or clear communication from staff about waiting times.
One pregnant woman, reportedly suffering from illness, was seen lying on the cold hospital floor as she was unable to secure a chair, let alone a bed. Fellow patients offered coats and jumpers in an attempt to provide her with some comfort while waiting for care.
A witness described the scene as “inhumane and disgraceful”, adding: “It’s appalling that in one of the richest countries in the world, a sick pregnant woman has to lie on the floor of a hospital because there simply isn’t enough space or staff to cope.”
12-Hour Waits Become the Norm
Other patients reported waiting over 12 hours to be seen by a doctor, with some eventually giving up and leaving without treatment. Elderly patients, parents with young children, and individuals in severe pain were all caught in the backlog.
One patient who had been waiting for nine hours shared their frustration: “We’re not expecting miracles, but surely we deserve basic care. Sitting for hours with no updates, no water, and no idea when you’ll be seen is not acceptable.”
Staff Under Immense Pressure
While patients express anger and frustration, many also acknowledged the dedication and exhaustion of hospital staff. Nurses and doctors were seen running between patients, working long hours, and dealing with impossible workloads.
A hospital staff member, speaking anonymously, said: “We’re at breaking point. There simply aren’t enough of us, and the system is completely overwhelmed. We’re doing everything we can, but it feels like a losing battle every day.”
Systemic Failures Highlighted
The crisis at Yeovil District Hospital mirrors a nationwide NHS emergency, with chronic underfunding, staff shortages, and soaring demand pushing services to the brink.
Local MP Adam Dance has yet to respond whilst on his Christmas parliament break.
A Call for Immediate Action
As winter pressures mount and hospital resources continue to be stretched thin, Yeovil residents are demanding immediate action to prevent further incidents like this from happening again.
For the pregnant woman forced to endure her illness on a hospital floor, and the countless others left waiting in pain and uncertainty, the message is clear: the NHS is in crisis, and urgent intervention is needed now.