Story perspectives

Grim Reality: Elderly Man's 15-Hour Emergency Wait Ends in Tragedy

1/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

Bernie McGrogan, 87, spent about 15 hours on a trolley in a crowded emergency department corridor with no privacy.
Fiona McAreavey calls this experience grim and heartbreaking.
The Royal College of Nursing warned corridor care is worsening in UK hospitals.
The Department of Health acknowledged pressures on emergency departments and urged better demand management.
McGrogan signed a do not resuscitate form after the hospital stay and died at home a month later.

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Story summary

Bernie McGrogan, 87, spent about 15 hours on a trolley in a crowded emergency department corridor with no privacy.
Fiona McAreavey calls this experience grim and heartbreaking.
The Royal College of Nursing warned corridor care is worsening in UK hospitals.
The Department of Health acknowledged pressures on emergency departments and urged better demand management.
McGrogan signed a do not resuscitate form after the hospital stay and died at home a month later.