77-Year-Old Waits 46 Hours in A&E, Highlighting Healthcare Crisis

Janet Ramage's harrowing experience exposes systemic issues at Lincolnshire hospital

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:42pm

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An extreme close-up X-ray photograph showing the internal structure of a plastic chair, with the faint outline of an elderly person's body sitting on it, conveying a sense of vulnerability and the fragility of the healthcare system.An X-ray image reveals the stark reality of a 77-year-old patient forced to endure a 46-hour wait in A&E, sitting on an unyielding plastic chair.Boston Today

A 77-year-old woman named Janet Ramage endured a shocking 46-hour wait in the A&E department of Boston Pilgrim Hospital in Lincolnshire, sitting on a plastic chair, before finally receiving a life-saving diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism. Her ordeal has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about the standards of care and challenges faced by both patients and healthcare providers in the region.

Why it matters

Janet Ramage's case is not an isolated incident, as Lincolnshire's emergency services have consistently failed to meet national standards, with the hospital's parent trust missing the 4-hour wait target since June 2023. This highlights systemic issues within the local healthcare system that are impacting both patients and staff.

The details

After calling her GP and being advised to dial 999, Janet chose to wait, hoping rest would help. However, her condition worsened, and she began losing blood, prompting her to call for emergency assistance. She described her time in the A&E department as "abuse," feeling abandoned and fighting for her right to treatment. Despite her complaints to doctors at the time, Janet was not admitted to a ward until 46 hours later, where she received two blood transfusions and was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, a potentially life-threatening condition.

  • Janet Ramage called her GP and was advised to dial 999.
  • After waiting, Janet's condition worsened, and she began losing blood, prompting her to call for emergency assistance.
  • Janet waited 46 hours in the A&E department before being admitted to a ward.
  • On the ward, Janet received two blood transfusions and was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism.
  • Janet was discharged from the hospital after 10 days.

The players

Janet Ramage

A 77-year-old resident of Skegness, Lincolnshire, who endured a harrowing 46-hour wait in the A&E department of Boston Pilgrim Hospital before receiving a life-saving diagnosis.

Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group (LCHG)

The NHS trust that oversees the Boston Pilgrim Hospital, which has acknowledged the shortcomings in Janet Ramage's case and offered an apology.

Healthwatch Lincolnshire

A patient advocacy group that has noted an increase in demand across all health and care services in the region, with the situation affecting both patients and staff dramatically.

Nerea Odongo

The group chief nurse for LCHG, who emphasized the importance of taking patient concerns seriously and encouraged patients with concerns to reach out to their patient advice and liaison service.

Dean Odell

The head of operations at Healthwatch Lincolnshire, who stated that the situation is affecting patients and staff dramatically.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not afraid of dying, but I want a chance at life.”

— Janet Ramage

“We take patient concerns seriously and apologize for any shortcomings. We encourage patients with concerns to reach out to our patient advice and liaison service.”

— Nerea Odongo, Group Chief Nurse, Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group

“The situation is affecting patients and staff dramatically.”

— Dean Odell, Head of Operations, Healthwatch Lincolnshire

What’s next

Healthwatch Lincolnshire and the Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group have both pledged to investigate Janet Ramage's case further and work to address the systemic issues facing the region's healthcare system.

The takeaway

Janet Ramage's harrowing experience highlights the critical state of healthcare services in Lincolnshire, with the Boston Pilgrim Hospital consistently failing to meet national standards for emergency care. This case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by both patients and healthcare providers, and the urgent need for systemic reforms to improve the quality of care and patient outcomes.