STAFF at Glasgow’s biggest hospital are caring for patients under “inadequate and dangerous” circumstances, it has been claimed.

A source, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Glasgow Times that nursing staff at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) have raised concerns about “patient dignity” as they are forced to care for patients in corridors.

They said it comes as a result of a continuous flow model called GLASFlow which was introduced to move patients out of A&E even when there are no available beds, with them being moved to corridors outside wards until a bed becomes available.

The source said: "The plan has sparked anger among nurses who say they are already overstretched with full wards and staff shortages."

Staff have also raised concerns that patients being treated in corridors do not have access to a ‘nurse call system’, with the Daily Record reporting they have now been given wireless doorbells to call for help in an emergency.

A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) confirmed internal escalation measures have been implemented and said there is "increased pressure" on the service with the arrival of winter.

They also asked people to think about the "most appropriate" way to access medical care before attending A&E and apologised to anyone who has experienced a longer than expected wait.

Cathy Miller, Unison branch secretary for NHS Glasgow Clyde and CVS, says the pressure being put on staff is 'indescribable'.

She said: "The staff have been fighting a battle of pre-Covid staff shortages.

"I cannot honestly describe the pressure, stress and anxiety the staff have and are under due to staffing levels.

"It’s like a battlefield - they work in every day but can never win the war.

"For the staff it’s all about patient care and delivering the service. It’s the staff that have kept the NHS alive.

"No beds and not enough staff leads to patients left on trolleys and other inappropriate places with ambulances lined up outside A&E waiting to discharge their patients."

A spokesperson for NHSGGC said: "GGC does not declare Board-wide escalation statuses and does not use the nomenclature of 'code black'.

"However, our EDs have been under pressure at times and have implemented their normal internal escalation plans in response.

"As is the case throughout the country, the arrival of winter has brought increased pressure on our services.

"We would like to apologise to anyone who has had to wait longer than they would have expected.

"All our staff are working extremely hard to address these challenges, and we would like to thank them for their continued professionalism and commitment.

"However, while all our staff are doing all they can under considerable pressure, we would encourage people to do their bit too by thinking carefully about the most appropriate ways to access care.

"NHSGGC is urging people to remember three simple suggestions – in fact, they’re as easy as ABC – to help you to know where to go if you need care, as well as helping to ease the pressure on services.

"Accessing the right care is as easy as ABC: Ask yourself: Do I need to go out? For information on keeping yourself well and treating minor illnesses and injuries from home, go to NHS Inform or download the NHS24 app.

"Be aware: There is help right on your doorstep. Your local GP, pharmacy, dentist or optician offer a range of services.

"Call 111: If it’s urgent, or you’re not sure, call NHS24 on 111. They’ll make sure you get the help you need.

"Unless it’s an emergency, think A,B,C before going to A&E – but please remember, if you think your condition or injury is very urgent or life-threatening, you should call 999 or go to A&E immediately.

"For more information on the best ways to access care, go to the NHSGGC website.

"The Glasflow ‘continuous flow’ model is based on similar models which had previously been introduced and were already up and running in other sites throughout the UK and was implemented to support patient flow within our hospitals.

 "Whilst we recognise it is not the complete answer to urgent care flow, it has already had a positive effect on ensuring patients who have been treated within our emergency departments are transferred to other departments to allow those most needing emergency care to be triaged and assessed, therefore reducing the inherent risks which can come with long wait times in A&E.

"We would like to reassure patients, staff and the public that the safety and wellbeing of patients is at the heart of everything we do."