Reaction in Watford to Undercover Ambulance: NHS in Chaos

The latest in the broadcaster’s Dispatches series aired last night (March 9) after a week of details slowly being revealed.

Ambulance crew member Daniel Waterhouse agreed to be a whistle-blower for the broadcaster and secretly record behind the scenes in his ambulance and Watford General Hospital before resigning.

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Many viewers said the programme left them “angry” with some calling the desperate scenes “unbelievable” and “so awful”.

A former Watford General Hospital worker said: “It’s a nationwide situation but it really brings it home when you see the ambulance and emergency departments that you have worked in on their knees.

"I'm feeling heartbroken.”

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The NHS trusts responsible for Watford’s ambulance and hospital services both highlighted that last winter, when the programme was recorded, saw unprecedented pressure on the NHS.

They also highlighted measures that have since been taken to improve care.

Watford’s politicians were also watching.

Mayor Peter Taylor blamed the Conservatives, adding: “Along with many people across Watford I was shocked by the footage from Watford General Hospital.

Watford mayor Peter Taylor (Image: Watford Borough Council)“The strain that our hard-working NHS staff are under is immense and this is having a real impact on patients.”

He thanked the local NHS for its work, but said “what we really need to see is investment from the government”, adding “local patients and NHS staff cannot afford to wait any longer”.

Local Labour group leader Councillor Nigel Bell (Image: Nigel Bell)

Local Labour group leader councillor Nigel Bell said the “shocking scenes” are worrying and require action.

“We could see the hardworking and stressed staff doing all they could in their professional way to cope and it’s not their fault they haven’t got the resources to properly treat our residents,” he added.

“What is our MP Dean Russell doing about this?”

MP Dean Russell visiting the hospital with health secretary Steve Barclay (Image: UK government)

The MP said: “The documentary has shown that increased pressure on services caused a particular strain for ambulance and A&E staff over winter across the country.”

He highlighted how he has been “working non-stop” for improvements and development at the hospital and has welcomed recent “good progress” in expanding the emergency department workforce.