BBC journalist Jeremy Bowen shares photo of his mother, 86, slumped in hard plastic chair in hospital waiting room where she was forced to sit for 17 hours waiting for treatment

The BBC’s Jeremy Bowen has claimed that his elderly mother was forced to sit in a chair waiting for treatment for 17 hours. 

Mr Bowen shared the snap of his mother, 86, slumped asleep in an NHS holding area online on X today. 

She took herself to the Heath Hospital in Cardiff at 4pm on Monday after she became unwell. 

But she was still allegedly sitting in the same chair 17 hours later.

The International Editor of BBC News highlighted his mum’s plight on his feed, alongside his sister Brigid.

The 64-year-old said: ‘This is my mother Jennifer, who has been waiting on a plastic chair at the Heath Hospital in Cardiff since 4pm yesterday she’s there because she’s ill.

‘My sister Brigid says Jennifer managed about an hour’s sleep.’

Have you faced long waits at hospital? Email: [email protected] 

Jeremy Bowen’s mother took herself to the Heath Hospital in Cardiff at 4pm on Monday after she became unwell but she was allegedly still in the same chair 17 hours later  

Jeremy Bowen claimed that his elderly mother was forced to sit in a chair waiting for treatment for 17 hours

Brigid also posted online and wrote: ‘Sut ydem ni yn gwneud? How are we doing? asks £NHSWales sign behind the hard plastic chair where @BowenBrigid 86 year old mother has sat since 4pm yesterday, this shot taken (w, consent to share) 17 hours later.

‘A: Could do better @CV-UHB – especially on the hospitality front.’

A comfier charity was later found for Jennifer, a retired photographer who worked on titles including the Merthyr Express.

It is not known why she was in hospital, however, Mr Bowen’s followers flocked to share their support.

Piers Morgan responded: ‘Outrageous!’

Another commented: ‘A picture no one should be seeing. This is only going to worsen anyone’s condition. @WelshGovernment, too much of this is happening in our hospitals. 

‘An answer needs to be found quickly.’

A third penned: ‘So sorry this is really not good enough.’

A fourth said: ‘It’s awful. Full of admiration for her because it would be much easier to go home to bed and give up.’

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board saw Brigid’s post and responded, saying: ‘Hi there, we’re very sorry to hear about your mother’s experience within our Emergency Unit.

‘If your mother would like to discuss her treatment further, please contact our concerns team on 029 218 36318 or [email protected]’

Brigid replied: ‘Thanks @CV-UHB wasn’t A&E – my mother was sent straight to assessment unit from GP, saying would be straightforward – nurse on ward said A&E would have been faster.’

A spokesperson for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said: ‘We are very sorry to hear of Jennifer’s experience while in our care. 

‘While our Emergency Unit has been incredibly busy over the past 24 hours, we acknowledge this falls short of the standard of care we expect to provide.

‘We would welcome the opportunity to speak with Jennifer and her family directly and encourage them to contact our Concerns Team.’