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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask advice as my parents have been waiting for three hours for an ambulance

247 replies

haveyourselfamerry · 07/01/2017 19:35

They are 500 miles away in Bournemouth. Dad is 80 and frail with poor visual processing and probable autism.
A little over three hours ago dad fell in the sitting room. Mum got him into a propped up position. It hurts behind his left hip.
The history is that he fell last February and broke his hip. He was stuck in hospital waiting for a fictitious rehab place for 10 weeks, as a result of which his gait has permanently altered.
They are hoping this is not another break as it feels less bad than last time.
Obviously though they are getting increasingly uncomfortable and distressed.
He will fall asleep soon. Mum is wondering if she can get him lying down. She is too fail to stop him dropping off/sliding over.
Thanks in advance :(
Old age s not for sissies.

OP posts:
Strongmummy · 07/01/2017 19:37

Can you call a local taxi company, explain the situation and get them to take your parents to A&E?

3luckystars · 07/01/2017 19:38

They are 500 miles away from you, that is very hard. Your poor mam and dad, I hope he gets to the hospital soon and is ok.
I wonder is there a neighbour you can ring to call in and a friendly face might help your mam. I'm really sorry.

stiffstink · 07/01/2017 19:38

strong do you expect the taxi driver to safely lift him?!

lovelearning · 07/01/2017 19:39

haveyourselfamerry

Start a new thread

Waiting for ambulance: HELP NEEDED IN BOURNEMOUTH

I trust you will get a good response

longdiling · 07/01/2017 19:40

Presumably a taxi driver wouldn't be able to get him up and in the taxi. And even if he could, he could potentially do more damage if it's broken surely.

What a horrible, depressing situation :( has your mum been chasing it up by ringing again and again? I wouldn't be surprised if she hasn't because she doesn't want to make a fuss, like many of her generation

Millipedewithherfeetup · 07/01/2017 19:42

Sorry to hear this is happening, we waited 10 hours last thursday for an ambulance for mil, the doctor called one for her at noon, no show till 9.50 p.m the ambulance service did call us to apologise though ! They were backing up calls and prioritising, not what you wan to hear when you have an old and frail person to care for. We could not lift mil oit of bed to take her to hospital so just had to wait.

CesareBorgiasUnicornMask · 07/01/2017 19:42

My only suggestion is that your mum redial the ambulance to update and say your dad is finding it hard to stay awake and she can't keep him propped up. I'm sure they will be coming as soon as possible and that info might raise his priority level a little bit. Other suggestions which I'm sure your mum is doing is hot water bottle/ blankets, and TV or radio to try to distract them both. Hope the ambulance makes it soon!

HecateAntaia · 07/01/2017 19:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Strongmummy · 07/01/2017 19:44

No idea how badly he's hurt and neither do you, hence why I suggested speaking to the dab company and explaining the situation.....Jesus Christ

smilingsarahb · 07/01/2017 19:45

Good news, that is a long time. I know this sounds daft, but my grandparents At that age were so stoic and not wanting to make a fuss, they would have really down played it to the ambulance service. Have you rung to chase up and put a bit more stress on it

smilingsarahb · 07/01/2017 19:46

I am so sorry. GOODNESS not good news at all :(

CurbsideProphet · 07/01/2017 19:46

How stressful for you. When we waited several hours for an ambulance for my grandad the ambulance service rang regularly to check on his condition. They asked us to call them back if we had any concerns about him.

MatildaTheCat · 07/01/2017 19:47

Is it worth calling their local OOH service? A doctor might be able to get there to assess for fractures or at least try to hurry up the ambulance.

Do hope they are helped soon. The poor NHS is dying on its feet. Sad

PS they are almost bound to have a hideous long wait in A&E, do tell your DM to take food supplies for herself and means to keep comfortable. Is there anyone to look after her?

MirabelleTree · 07/01/2017 19:48

I'd ring and say you are now also concerned about your Mum as you feel she is unable to cope and needs urgent assistance. Poole has a night service team that I'm a bit vague about what it does and not sure if Bournemouth will have the same, I think they might be accessed through the oncall duty SW and might be worth a go.

Original poster
haveyourselfamerry · 07/01/2017 19:48

Mum is trying the hot water bottle thanks.

OP posts:
harridan50 · 07/01/2017 19:49

Trust me as distressing as this is the ambulance service is at breaking point. They will be prioritising life threatening events.....accidents, cardiac arrests etc. I hope they reach them soon. Can someone go round to support your mother.

Original poster
haveyourselfamerry · 07/01/2017 19:49

Mira belle, what do I call -999?

OP posts:
Number4OnTheWay · 07/01/2017 19:50

They need to call again and as pp says, explain he's falling asleep and she can't keep him in position. They will be doing everything they can but it's ok to chase them up. I hope one turns up soon.
We had to wait hours for one for my 2 year old (111 requested an ambulance, first responder turned up and called for an ambulance) in the end the first responder helped me put him in the car and followed me to A&E as she wasn't happy waiting any longer, he needed attention. They are just inundated with calls :(

NapQueen · 07/01/2017 19:50

It's awful as the service is probably overstretched and sadly jobs are usually triaged in terms of need and as he is conscious and whilst I've no doubt in a lot of pain; not as much as in need as say someone unconscious or loosing masses of blood.

FrankiesKnuckle · 07/01/2017 19:51

It will be a lower category call.
Fall, conscious and breathing and alert/awake will be classed as an 'amber, cat2 or 3' call.
Sadly, every ambulance service in the country is on its knees at the moment. Demand far outstrips supply. Many trucks waiting at hospitals to offload.
Minor ailments clogging up the EDs.
It's would not be unusual to wait 5 or 6 hours in this scenario.
My advice.... ring back and say he has chest pain.

SukeyTakeItOffAgain · 07/01/2017 19:51

It's all bloody awful news today regarding the NHS.

I would second advising her to ring again and stress that he is very old and distressed. And while waiting, as Matilda says, get together a fair amount of food and drink. My mum sat with my dad who has severe dementia in A&E for 8 hours on Saturday night fairly recently. This situation is beyond awful. I fucking hate the Tories for this.

MirabelleTree · 07/01/2017 19:52

The Poole night team if they still exist I think are accessed through SS but I would try 999 yourself saying you are very concerned about them both now.

Original poster
haveyourselfamerry · 07/01/2017 19:53

harridan50

Clearly! And we know from last year that discharge to social care is already broken.

I'm thinking that mum should get her sofa cushions on either side of dad to reduce the range of movement.

I think I'd better pack a bag and start panicking about work.

OP posts:
FourToTheFloor · 07/01/2017 19:54

So sorry OP. The NHS is a fucking disgrace, 3 hours for a possible break at 80 yo Angry

Hope your dad is helped soon.

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