Pensioner, 96, left ‘bleeding profusely’ from head wound for 90 MINUTES while waiting for ambulance ends up being driven to hospital by friends
It was later discovered she had two bleeds on the brain and needed nine stitches for the wound above her eye
A 96-YEAR-OLD woman who was left bleeding after falling and hitting her head while walking to church was forced to wait 90 minutes for an ambulance.
Eventually Nancy Pryde's pals gave up waiting, and chose to ignore advice not to move her from the 999 operator and drove her to hospital themselves.
After arriving at hospital doctors found she had two bleeds on the brain.
She also needed nine stitches for the wound above her eye.
The pensioner fell outside Radipole United Reformed Church in Weymouth, Dorset, and was helped by people arriving at church.
An off-duty paramedic who lives nearby also offered medical assistance and called an ambulance.
But those comforting her phoned again when an ambulance still hadn't shown up after an hour.
And after a 90 minute wait they decided to drive her the six miles to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester themselves.
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Daughter-in-law Margaret Pryde said the family is outraged at South Western Ambulance Service, and the family have lodged a formal complaint.
Mrs Pryde said: "Her life was in danger, and for no ambulance to turn up is just outrageous.
"She was bleeding profusely, her clothes were soaked in blood. One of the ladies who helped her and got her in to the car to take her to hospital has been left quite traumatised by it all.
"I understand that the service is under a lot of pressure, but this is putting lives in danger.
"Had it been another day when the church wasn't open, or the paramedic wasn't there, she could have been lying in the road, in the freezing cold, waiting for help.
"It could have been so much worse. As it was she lost a lot of blood and it was a big gash that needed nine stitches. She was very lucky that a paramedic lived across the road."
Widow Mrs Pryde, who was teaching keep fit classes up until four years ago, is now recovering from her ordeal in hospital with her son Jack at her bedside.
Janette Martindill, Mrs Pryde's friend and neighbour, said: "I have known her for 40 years, she is such an independent lady, a dear soul with a lovely outlook on life. She is a dearly loved member of the church and a very active member of the community.
"We have to take a stand with all this, it is happening more and more. I know there is limited funds but on the other hand the service needs to be there."
A South Western Ambulance Service spokesman said: "The Trust is sorry to learn of this patient's experience. We are aware of the incident and looking into the matter further.
"A 999 call was made by an off-duty member of staff just before 11am on January 22 reporting that an elderly lady had fallen and sustained a facial laceration.
"A second call was made just before 12pm, during which another triage process took place, before a third call came in at 12.30pm advising that the patient was being taken to hospital by car.
"Our highest priority calls are for patients reported to be unconscious and not breathing. The lady was reported to be conscious and breathing throughout and a triage process was carried out during the first two calls we received."