Is this how the NHS treats its own? 81-year-old man left outside Rochdale Infirmary for ten hours

An 81-year-old man lay confused, incoherent and unable to stand outside the grounds of Rochdale Infirmary for around ten hours while members of the public desperately tried to persuade the emergency services, hospital staff and social care agencies to help him.

The disturbing incident was witnessed and filmed by the editor of Rochdale Daily, who saw passers-by provide the man with water, blankets, cushions, food and cardboard while repeated attempts were made to establish which public service had responsibility for his welfare.

The man was found lying on the ground near the hospital car park. He appeared unable to stand unaided and could rarely string together more than two words. He later told those attempting to assist him that he was 81 years old.

Security staff were monitoring the situation and informed members of the public they had contacted Greater Manchester Police. Officers did not arrive until approximately ten hours after the ordeal began.

Members of the public repeatedly attempted to request an ambulance. During those calls, callers say they were informed the man was barred from the ambulance service because of previous behaviour and because of other matters that could not be discussed due to data protection legislation.

The precise legal status of any restriction involving the man has not yet been independently confirmed. However, Rochdale Daily holds video footage of the day's events, including numerous conversations between witnesses, members of the public and staff.

Whatever may have happened previously, the man lying on the ground that day appeared incapable of posing any immediate threat. He was confused, unable to stand, largely unable to communicate and repeatedly soiled himself while lying outside the hospital.

Members of the public also attempted to contact Rochdale Council Adult Social Care, people believed to be relatives, homelessness organisations and local charities. Appeals were placed on Facebook asking whether anyone knew the gentleman or could help locate family members.

Some comments on social media suggested the man had brought the situation upon himself if he had previously abused NHS staff. One commenter wrote: "You don't get barred from the NHS for nothing."

No one should minimise the abuse suffered by NHS workers. Nurses, doctors, paramedics, receptionists and security staff face unacceptable levels of violence, intimidation and verbal abuse every day. Staff deserve protection, and where individuals genuinely pose a danger, organisations are entitled to implement appropriate safeguards.

But that was not the man witnessed by Rochdale Daily.

For hour after hour he remained lying on the ground, unable to stand, struggling to communicate and apparently incapable of caring for himself. Members of the public did not witness any aggression towards staff, security or those trying to help him.

Throughout the day, ambulance vehicles entered and left the hospital site. Witnesses attempted to flag them down, but the vehicles continued past. Others reportedly stopped only to explain they were unable to assist.

Approximately six hours into the incident, two nurses accompanied by hospital security entered the car park and spoke with those attempting to help the man.

According to the editor's contemporaneous video recording, the nurses stated they could not treat the gentleman unless the situation became a matter of "life or death".

When asked what 'life or death' would look like to an untrained member of the public, they replied: "We couldn't tell you."

Members of the public then asked whose duty of care the gentleman fell under if he died while no organisation would intervene. One member of staff replied: "Not you."

When pressed as to which organisation would carry responsibility if treatment continued to be refused, those present say no clear answer was given.

One nurse then stated that the gentleman's breathing would have to stop before intervention could take place.

The editor replied that she could not see him breathing. The nurse looked over the wall towards the gentleman and responded that his chest was rising and therefore he was breathing.

During the exchange, one nurse was recorded saying: "This is what you get when you're on it day and night."

When asked what she meant by the remark, no explanation was given.

Later in the incident, a person identifying themselves as a family member stated the gentleman had dementia. Rochdale Daily has not independently verified that relationship or medical diagnosis.

A representative from Get Together After Serving CIC attended the scene after becoming aware of the incident and also attempted to secure medical assistance.

The representative said they were informed the gentleman was subject to a restraining order involving the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust and that members of the public would need to transport him outside the area before treatment could be sought elsewhere.

Rochdale Daily has requested clarification from the Trust regarding that alleged restriction.

Throughout the ordeal, members of the public continued caring for the gentleman. Bottles of water, blankets, cushions, cardboard and food were brought to make him more comfortable while people searched desperately for someone willing to take responsibility.

Among the organisations contacted, only Get Together After Serving CIC and Hebron Pentecostal Church attended to assist.

Approximately ten hours after the incident began, police officers attended the scene.

The following morning, disposable cups, bowls and cardboard still marked the place where the elderly man had spent much of the previous day.

This investigation is not an argument that NHS staff should tolerate abuse. They should not. Nor is it an argument that previous violent or abusive behaviour should simply be ignored.

It is, however, a question of safeguarding.

If an elderly man is confused, apparently incapable of caring for himself, unable to stand, repeatedly soiling himself and lying outside the grounds of a hospital, who has responsibility for protecting him?

If previous behaviour has resulted in restrictions, what emergency pathway exists when that same individual later appears to lack capacity or requires urgent medical assessment?

Those are questions Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, North West Ambulance Service, Greater Manchester Police and Rochdale Council's Adult Social Care service should now answer.

Rochdale Daily has contacted all relevant organisations for comment and will publish their responses in full when received.

Until then, one unavoidable question remains.

Is this how the NHS treats its own?