Loose Women star Denise Welch has revealed the shocking details of her recent emergency hospital visit, where she was forced to wait 24 hours for a bed while battling excruciating pain from acute peritonitis.
The 65-year-old actress and TV presenter opened up about her ordeal on Loose Women.
The panel also discussed the NHS crisis and the shocking reality of “corridor care” in UK hospitals.
Denise Welch spent 24 hours waiting for a hospital bed
The actress and presenter had just returned from a Caribbean holiday. Denise recalled how she was suddenly struck down with acute peritonitis, a severe infection of the inner lining of the abdomen.
She was rushed to A&E, where she then spent an agonising 24 hours waiting for a hospital bed.
“I was rushed into hospital. I was alright, but I was in A&E for 24 hours,” she explained.
Despite needing urgent medical attention, she was repeatedly told there were no available beds on the surgical ward.
“They wanted me on the surgical ward. They kept saying, ‘There’s no bed, there’s no bed, there’s no bed.'”
However, the situation took an unexpected turn when someone spotted her in A&E and tipped off the press.
“Somebody spotted me and phoned the press – and I was in a bed in 15 minutes,” she admitted.
Her revelation was met with a groan from the studio audience, highlighting the frustration many feel about the state of NHS care and the stark reality of who gets prioritised.
Loose Women host Charlene White reacted, saying: “That’s not going to go down well.”
The discussion also came as the panel addressed the NHS Trust’s controversial new advert for a “corridor care” doctor. This new role was created due to overwhelming pressures in A&E departments across the country.
Denise Welch diagnosis
Denise also detailed how her health scare unfolded. She revealed that her acute peritonitis was caused by perforated diverticulitis, a painful condition where small pouches in the intestines become infected or burst.
“I got back from a lovely holiday in the Caribbean last Saturday. All bronzed, looking forward to coming on here and showing off my suntan.” Denise recalled.
“Then I got rushed into hospital on the Saturday with acute peritonitis – a perforated diverticulitis.”
But doctors managed to avoid surgery, treating the infection with strong antibiotics via an IV drip.
“I’ve been in hospital on a drip for a week! They didn’t have to do surgery; they got it with antibiotics, thankfully,” she also shared.
While Denise is now on the mend, she admitted she’s still feeling the effects of her illness, particularly when it comes to her digestive system.
“I’m eating, and believe you me, what’s going on down there. I’m a Loose Woman – believe you me!” she quipped.
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