Husband’s agony at being forced to watch cancer-stricken wife die at home after calling 999 THREE times – and being placed in a queue

A DEVASTATED husband says he was forced to watch as his wife died in front of him despite calling 999 three times.

Rich Fletcher said he rang emergency services on Sunday after his partner Julia – who had been battling cancer – fell ill.

But the husband says he was firstly put on a call waiting system, and when he finally got through, he says the operator took his details and told him that help was on the way.

When his wife’s condition deteriorated, he called 999 again, but said he was hit by a “long wait” again, and was told paramedics would “get there when they could”.

As his partner Julia’s condition started getting even worse, he says he called 999 for a third time, “in bits”.

At this point, he says the operator walked him through the CPR procedure, which he desperately performed on his dying wife, before firefighters arrived at the scene around five minutes later.

However, it was too late, and his wife died by his side.

Taking to social media, the distraught husband described the night as “without doubt, the worst day of my existence”.

He wrote: "I lost my darling wife today. It's been horrendous, without doubt the worst day of my existence.

"I've seen so much upset from family and friends and this is only day one.

"I'm in dread of the future tbh, I'm really struggling but I've got kids so despite everything, I'm going to be their rock.

"I've been sat up thinking and I want people to consider this when they vote (which they absolutely must) in June.

"I rang 999 for an ambulance today. I was on the same call waiting system that you get when you call a bank/ insurance company/ mobile provider etc.

"When I eventually got through, they took my details and said help was on its way.

"I had to ring again as things were getting worse.

Until you need them, you'll never know how bad it is

Rich Fletcher

"Same story, long wait for an answer and the poor operator could only say they'd get there when they could.

"On the third call, I was in bits and was talked through the CPR procedure which I did for a minimum of 5 minutes before the fire service (not ambulance) arrived.

"They were another 5 minutes behind and as you can guess, it didn't end well..."

The distraught husband went on to blame Tory cuts for delays to 999 response times, before praising the medics who helped his wife.

He said: “Julia's cancer care has been amazing and I tip my hat to Oncology in Gloucestershire, it's awesome.

"I've had bad experiences personally though and I know how much the NHS is struggling.

“The staff are incredible but they just can't work to their full potential within the budget restraints they are tied to.

“Until you need them, you'll never know how bad it is. AND IT IS BAD!!"

South Western Ambulance Service has been contacted for comment.

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