Overview
- Claire Gougeon, 99, remained on a stretcher for roughly 64–65 hours after an acute pulmonary edema diagnosis because no inpatient bed was available.
- She was transferred around 14:30 the following Monday to a CHU‑affiliated follow‑up and rehabilitation unit in Bois‑Guillaume, then returned home after a little over a week.
- Rouen’s CHU says emergency arrivals exceeded 250 per day during a seasonal epidemic with strong tension on beds locally and across the territory, leading to abnormal waits.
- A local UNSA representative disputes the claim of an isolated spike, saying such extended waits are not rare and reflect persistent capacity and staffing problems.
- Relatives brought cushions and meals as staff struggled with resources, the family appealed to the ARS and the Health Ministry, and the CHU expressed regret but reportedly did not contact them afterward.