Terminal cancer patient has to sit in A&E when awaiting treatment

Rebecca Quayle, a 41-year-old mother battling terminal cancer, faces a daily risk that something as ordinary as a common cold could prove fatal. Her mother, Delia Lodge, expresses deep concern over the hospital environment, especially during visits to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Denbighshire, where cancer patients must share waiting areas with potentially infectious A&E patients. Delia describes the crowded space, filled with coughing individuals and those testing positive for Covid-19, as feeling like a “death sentence” for her daughter.

Currently, the cancer unit at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd is closed during evenings and weekends, forcing patients like Rebecca to attend A&E when unwell. Delia has since campaigned vigorously for the creation of dedicated waiting areas specifically for cancer patients and those with weakened immune systems, hoping this change could prevent unnecessary exposure to infections. Through conversations at the hospital and online advocacy, Delia has gained the support of 2,500 signatories backing her cause.

Despite her worries, Delia praises the NHS staff at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, describing them as “marvellous, superb, and professional.” However, she remains firm on the urgent need for separate spaces, emphasizing that “these patients can die if they come into contact with people within the A&E.” Her hope is that with enough backing, one of the hospital’s 24 treatment rooms could be converted into a safe, cancer patient-only waiting area, a solution she believes is straightforward and necessary.

Supporting the call for change is Gemma Bailey, a cancer survivor and close friend of Delia’s, who highlights the added anxiety caused by waiting in a general crowded area: “Every cough, every sneeze becomes a potential danger.” The Betsi Cadwaladr health board acknowledged the concerns, with deputy executive director Chris Lynes stating their teams “fully recognise the concerns raised” and are working to address them. However, he explained that currently, there is no suitable space near emergency departments to establish separate waiting areas while ensuring close monitoring of patients. Cancer Research Wales has also emphasized the importance of such spaces, noting that infection can delay crucial treatment, especially in those with compromised immune systems. Dr. Lee Campbell, head of research, pointed out that despite strict infection control measures, distinct waiting areas for vulnerable patients are not consistently available across Welsh hospitals

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