PATIENTS were left to sleep for three days on recliner chairs before being admitted to Crosshouse Hospital, a shock new report has revealed.

Others had to lay on trolleys in corridors for up to 28 hours while waiting for treatment.

The report followed a surprise inspection by Healthcare Improvement Scotland in May of this year.

Other issues highlighted in the report included staff shortages and overcrowding, with some patients being treated in corridors.

Concerns were also raised regarding the management’s competence, as staff often felt unable to raise concerns due to a lack of support, and issues identified to management were left unseen to.

The report also found older adults waiting to receive treatment did not always have care needs met, such as personal hygiene or food and nutrition.

And at the time of the inspection, the fire alarm sounded, but staff were not able to move patients – because they did not know how.

Head of service at Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Donna Maclean, said: “We identified that patient care needs were not always being met.

“At the time of inspection, University Hospital Crosshouse was experiencing a significant range of pressures associated with COVID-19, including increased hospital admissions, increased waiting times in emergency departments and reduced staff availability.

“We will return to NHS Ayrshire & Arran in the near future to carry out a further inspection based on our concerns.

“In order to prioritise the requirements from this inspection, an action plan has been developed by NHS Ayrshire & Arran.”

The statement also noted that staff displayed good teamwork and communication as well as a good relationship with patients.

Additional beds were found in some six-bay wards that did not have oxygen facilities or power outlets for monitoring equipment as part of the hospital’s full capacity plan.

When inspectors challenged hospital bosses on this, they were advised staff should check patients met the clinical criteria to be placed in an additional bed.

A Scottish government spokesman said: “Patient safety is a key priority. We expect NHS Ayrshire and Arran to address any outstanding concerns Healthcare Improvement Scotland have identified as a matter of urgency, and will support them to do so.”

Nurse director Jennifer Wilson told the BBC that the health board was fully committed to addressing areas where the report found further improvement was required.

She added: “NHS Ayrshire and Arran has well established mechanisms for staff to raise concerns, including through line managers, via safety huddles, DATIX and the wellbeing team.

“We would encourage all staff to access these channels, where they will be supported to raise concerns, be listened to and their concerns acted upon.”

But Unison’s Janet Stewart warned: “Staff are leaving, we have waiting lists higher than ever, and the NHS is facing real challenges to recruit.”