Jim Ferguson

Published:  04 March, 2010

“Raigmore Hospital’s A&E department was not a pleasant place to be on Saturday night, according to Jim Ferguson.”

A 12-YEAR-old drunk, two men who had been assaulted in booze-fuelled bust-ups and a drug user who had overdosed…

These were just some of the many patients who ended their Saturday night at Raigmore Hospital’s accident and emergency department.

And it wasn’t a pretty sight, according to crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers’ Highland chairman Jim Ferguson, who shadowed A&E staff for six hours to see first-hand their dealings with the fall-out of drink and drugs.

For, during his visit, he saw only one patient whose admission was not down to booze or substance abuse.

Mr Ferguson, who is also Scottish depute chairman of Crimestoppers, told the Highland News: “While it wasn’t pleasant to see all the blood, gore and trauma, it did highlight a number of issues that are screaming out for action to be taken on.

“I would appeal for other people like Highland councillors and government officials to see for themselves what is happening.”

Shortly after his arrival at 10pm, the first patient rushed to the ward was a 12-year-old girl.

He recalled: “She had consumed a fairly large quantity of alcohol. I am not sure what the circumstances were, but she was taken in with serious alcohol poisoning and was kept in for several hours under observation.”

He continued: “I saw a number of people who were in as a result of alcohol. I saw one chap under the influence of alcohol who was covered in blood, with his clothes ripped and he was being helped to walk by two police officers. He had been severely beaten and he was taken into one of the observation units.

“Another chap came in with serious facial injuries so severe he would have been unrecognisable to anyone who knew him. He was badly cut round the face and there was blood coming out of gaping head wounds. His lips were torn and bleeding. Again, he had been assaulted while under the influence of alcohol.

“I also saw a man who had been involved in a road traffic accident and he had crashed his vehicle while being under the influence of alcohol.

“There was another man, probably in his 20s, who was suffering from a drugs overdose.

“There was only one admission to A&E I saw that was not drink or drugs-induced and that was an elderly gentleman with breathing difficulties.”

Speaking to reception staff, nurses and doctors, Mr Ferguson found that this was not a particularly busy night for A&E – and was perhaps even on the quiet side for a typical Saturday night following pay day.

He took the opportunity to speak to staff about the sort of problems they come up against while dealing with people who are the worst for wear due to drink or drugs.

He explained: “I was aware that in A&Es across Scotland there are incidents of very serious verbal and physical violence and that was confirmed on Saturday by staff I spoke to.

“Reception staff who deal with people when they first come in told me about incidents of verbal abuse where people threatened to find out where they lived and told graphically, in ways I can’t repeat, what they would do.

“They also told me of incidents of physical violence where people under the influence of drink or drugs have lashed out, often without warning. They said they really have to have their wits about them.

“I’m shocked and appalled to hear people who are genuinely doing their best to help people are subjected to such violence and disrespect.”

He also asked staff their thoughts on the impending closure of the city’s drying-out centre at Beechwood House. The unit, which will close at the end of March if funding is not found, provides 24-hour emergency rehab care for those suffering the affects of drink or drugs.

He said: “They told me this is a nightmare waiting to happen. Beechwood House has incredibly patient staff and provides a unique facility.”

Mr Ferguson, who hopes to foster greater links between Crimestoppers and NHS Highland, said he was impressed by “the sheer level of professionalism of A&E staff”.

He added: “Not only are they proficient, they are incredibly knowledgeable. They are dedicated, hard working and don’t judge, however frustrating they find things.

“We are fortunate to have a such dedicated people working in Inverness.”