For too long, the people of Chester and surrounding communities have witnessed critical failures in care, unacceptable delays, and hospital leadership that refuses to be held fully accountable. It’s time to demand change — starting at the top.

📌 The Stark Reality in Chester

In the latest regulatory inspection, the A&E department was rated “inadequate”, and the hospital overall “requires improvement.”

The Care Quality Commission issued a formal warning notice, citing repeated failures in infection control, delayed care, and corridor treatment.

According to Healthwatch’s “A&E Watch”, patients have waited up to 17 hours, sitting on chairs overnight, with limited updates, little dignity, and inconsistent communication.

74% of patients said they were not kept regularly informed while waiting in A&E — and 52% said they weren’t updated about their treatment.

National reporting shows that 24% of patients at the Countess wait over 12 hours in A&E.

💔 What This Means for Chester Patients & Families

This is not just “waiting longer.” It means:

Critically ill patients left in corridors, denied privacy, dignity, or even basic pain relief.

Families left powerless, waiting for updates that never come.

Trust broken: when the hospital is meant to heal, it instead instils fear and frustration.

A dangerous normalisation of substandard emergency care — because many are told it’s “That's just how it is now.”

🛑 Leadership Must Be Held to Account

Under Jane Tomkinson’s leadership, these repeated failures cannot continue without consequence. Leadership is meant to protect patients and ensure safe, timely care — not hide behind public relations statements.

When regulators issue warnings and patients endure unsafe conditions, continuing in post is unacceptable.

✅ Our Demands for Chester

1. Immediate resignation of Jane Tomkinson (Acting CEO) at Countess of Chester Hospital.

2. A public apology to all patients and families harmed or neglected.

3. A fully independent investigation into systemic failures: long waits, lost communication, and corridor care.

4. A transparent, published action plan — with local community oversight, clear timelines, and accountability.

5. Binding commitments to monitor 12-hour waits, patient updates, and emergency care standards, reported quarterly.

👉 If you believe Chester’s patients deserve dignity, safety, and leadership that truly cares.

 Sign now. Share widely. Demand better.