Cotswold District Council leader Joe Harris spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in A&E after choking on chicken.
Joe Harris said he had spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in A&E . A council leader said he had spent an 'unhappy' 12 hours waiting in A&E after choking on chicken on Christmas Eve. Cotswold District Council leader Joe Harris said the meat had become lodged in his oesophagus as he ate lunch alone, leaving him unable to swallow food or drink. He is now at home recovering after surgeons removed the blockage at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital on Christmas Day.
A hospital spokesperson said A&E staff were under pressure as the department continued to face 'high levels of demand'. Mr Harris said staff had been so busy that he and his parents had to keep reminding them to give him injections throughout the 12 hours he was there.Mr Harris said he had been alone 'wolfing down his lunch' in a rush to leave the Cotswolds to visit his partner's family before he started choking.'It's really scary on Christmas Eve,' he said. 'We've read about the pressures on A&E.'I don't doubt they want to do a good job but when you're that stretched, thin on staff and loads of people in a waiting room, it was really scary.' He said surgeons had stuck a camera down his throat while he was under general anaesthetic after unsuccessfully trying to loosen the chicken from his throat.'Despite it being a miserable Christmas Day, they were really good and made me feel at ease.' He said there had been 'quite a few drunk people' in A&E on Christmas Eve which had added to demand on NHS staff.Prof Mark Pietroni, medical director at the hospital, said: 'We would like to apologise to Councillor Joe Harris for the length of time he spent at our A&E department on Christmas Eve and wish him well for a swift recovery. 'The pressures that colleagues are working under in our A&Es, and up and down the country, at the moment are very challenging and we are very grateful to staff for delivering high quality care under these pressure
A&E Choking Christmas Hospital NHS
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Manchester Council spends more on Christmas lights than anywhere else in EnglandThe town hall has budgeted a quarter of a million pounds for festive illuminations this year, down 12 per cent from last year
Read more »
How much each council in Greater Manchester spends on Christmas lightsManchester council spends more on Christmas lights than any other local authority in England, according to the figures
Read more »
Council leader 'extremely angry' after government demands hundreds of extra homes a year from Shropshire CouncilA council leader has spoken of her anger at a government decision to hike the number of houses required to be built in Shropshire.
Read more »
Council spends thousands on banners for project which might not happenThe £34.4 million scheme would deliver improvements along the A614 and A6097 corridor
Read more »
Nottinghamshire Council Spends Thousands on Uncertain Road Improvement BannersNottinghamshire County Council has incurred expenses on banners promoting a potential road improvement project that may not materialize. The £34.4 million scheme, aimed at enhancing three roundabouts along the A614 and A6097, remains in doubt due to the previous government's unfulfilled funding pledge and the new government's lack of confirmation on supporting the project.
Read more »
Salford council spends £7.7m to acquire rugby stadium“This is great news for the city as it will safeguard jobs, ensure the continued community use of the facility and support the delivery of the council’s Rugby Strategy in 2025.'
Read more »