Readers share their experiences of ambulance waiting times

The Welsh Ambulance Service says it is under 'significant pressure' across its services.

This is a common theme throughout the UK - a survey of more than 1,000 British adults found around six out of 10 (61%) people were not confident an ambulance would arrive quickly if they needed one.

The poll, carried out by Ipsos for the PA news agency, also found that nearly two-thirds (64%) of people did not have confidence they would be seen quickly in A&E if they needed emergency care.

Last week, we told the story of pensioner Carl Williams, 82, who had to wait 13 hours for an ambulance to arrive at his home in Wrexham.

And while the Welsh Ambulance Service said it was 'deeply sorry' for what Mr Williams had to go through, unfortunately, this is not an uncommon occurrence in North Wales.

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Having read the article on Mr Williams' ordeal, our readers have been revealing their experiences of having to wait around for hours for an ambulance.

Kelly Pringle said: "My dad, who's 82, waited seven hours last week and was then in the ambulance another five hours outside the Maelor before being seen.

"The paramedics came from Bala to him in Mynydd Isa and we have an ambulance station down the road. Just crazy ... can't thank the ambulance crew and nurses enough, not their fault ... all just in such a mess."

Delwyn Bates said: "My mum was on the kitchen floor five hours waiting for an ambulance then hours in the ambulance and A and E waiting to go on a ward, she eventually went to a ward 12 hours after she fell.

"Couldn't fault any of the staff, that night there were 96 people in beds who could have been discharged but there was no social care provision for them.

"Local authorities need to be concentrating more on social care provision rather than letting the health Trust take all the blame."

Paul Leighton added: "I had a stroke in February. I was in the back of an ambulance for five hours and my wife had a stroke four weeks ago and we waited seven hours for an ambulance to come and attend to her."

Matthew Sides said: "Friend's mum, I guess 70 years old, fell a few months back and was lying in pain on a pavement when it was still cold. Her son was told nine hours wait."

Sarah Howard told us: "My nan was 101 last year. She spent over 10 hours on her kitchen floor waiting for ambulance after a fall."

Macca Ray said: "My grandad aged 92 waited for 12 hours with a broken hip after he had fallen."

Leah Cree said: "My friend waited 27 hours after falling and enduring a severely broken ankle along with a broken shoulder. Then had to wait in A&E."

Linda Roberts said: "Unfortunately, this is not new as my relative had a stroke over nine years ago and had to lie on concrete for hours, paramedic was very upset but no ambulances available!"

Rob Keen added: "This is disgusting my late father waited 10 hours last year after falling and breaking his hip last September. Never mind saying sorry, sort it out actions speak louder than words."

PIC: The Welsh Ambulance Service has responded to people's experiences of ambulance waiting times in North Wales.

In response, Lee Brooks, Executive Director of Operations at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “Significant pressure remains across the urgent and emergency care system, and we accept that our response times are disappointing.

“Extensive hospital handover delays coupled with sustained higher levels of life-threatening ‘Red’ calls as well as staff absence exacerbated by Covid-19 has led to some very long waits for patients in recent months.

“Many of the issues generating the pressures within which we operate are not within our control and are deep-rooted. It will take a system-wide effort to resolve a system-wide issue.

“The public can help by using NHS services appropriately – the NHS 111 Wales website should now be your first port of call for health advice and information.

“Please only call 999 when a life is on the line.”