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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

why didnt they just drive her?

140 replies

NormaSmuff · 01/06/2017 07:25

www.shorehamherald.co.uk/news/health/gran-waits-an-hour-for-ambulance-with-broken-wrist-1-7987356

I cant believe this story. Unless they are missing the part where her relatives have perhaps been drinking. Otherwise the scandal is absolutely on them.
Do you really need an ambulance for a broken wrist?

OP posts:
Chelseal91 · 02/06/2017 18:29

Now I'm not saying that she didn't deserve an ambulance but the NHS staff do what they can to help and sometimes that takes an hour, I just mean if they're unhappy drive yourself.

clairethewitch70 · 02/06/2017 18:48

She is very bruised but some medications such as blood thinners mean that you can bruise easier. My MIL on Warfarin bruises really badly with knocking herself against things.

Also she was treated in the living room, after falling outside, so they moved her, therefore she could have been taken into hospital by car/taxi.

Was she sent into hospital by the paramedic, or treated at home?

clairethewitch70 · 02/06/2017 18:51

The bruising would not have been visible immediately. That bruising is days later.

NHS bashing, 1 hour for non-life threatening injuries is not bad.

The ambulances may have been dealing with RTA's etc.

Itwillbeok1 · 02/06/2017 18:59

I know. I'm stunned too. I'm imagining all to be shoving their bosoms up with their hands and making an odd face like the old Les Dawson sketch. It's truly judgemental and nasty. Really nasty.

PersianCatLady · 02/06/2017 18:59

maybe they didn't have any money for a taxi?
Surely in a situation like this there must be someone to borrow taxi fare off of?

I think that it is ridiculous that somebody could call an ambulance which costs over £100 just because somebody couldn't afford taxi fare.

Itwillbeok1 · 02/06/2017 19:00

This reply has been deleted

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Honeyandfizz · 02/06/2017 19:02

999 is for life threatening injuries, these were not. It's up to 4 hour wait for a non urgent ambulance here in Birmingham.

Itwillbeok1 · 02/06/2017 19:03

That's exactly what you are saying. I can't even believe you are comparing the incident with your son - and it's good to hear he's ok :-) - with an old lady falling onto the floor. It's totally different. If you want to be cross, be cross because our brilliant NHS has been run into the ground - don't get cross because someone, who needed to use it - they thought at the time she needed to use, they acted wisely and safely - wasn't able to get a good service. SHe's an elderly lady - she fell on the floor.

Original poster
NormaSmuff · 02/06/2017 19:06

One hour is not really worthy of press coverage

OP posts:
PersianCatLady · 02/06/2017 19:13

NHS bashing, 1 hour for non-life threatening injuries is not bad
TBH this case falls into middle ground for me.

I am not fuming about the fact that they called an ambulance like I am in some cases where they are not required.

However I am angry that they called one, it came in 62 minutes and then they had the nerve to complain about "the wait".

brasty · 02/06/2017 19:14

No ambulances are not for life threatening incidents only. Someone can have break both legs and will need an ambulance, but not have their life threatened.

user1489675144 · 02/06/2017 19:35

No wonder the ambulances are clogged up if people call them for a fall when the son lives next door and could have easily driven her there/called a taxi etc.

I thought ambulances were for emergencies not for a simple fall. What an idiot the son and DIL are - stood around over an hour waiting for an ambulance for a broken wrist!

Reading some stories people call ambulances for a multitude of reasons now - so perhaps some people need a list of what to call for and what not to call for...

NotYoda · 02/06/2017 19:43

user

Did you read the rest of the thread?

Original poster
NormaSmuff · 02/06/2017 19:57

I wonder if the local journos hang around outside A & E

OP posts:
user1489675144 · 02/06/2017 19:59

Yes I read the thread. The son and brother in law live next door. They pressed a care button, they called an ambulance, then waited and kept calling and ALMOST decided to drive her themselves but didn't and waited for over an hour.
The lady was watering her hanging baskets when she tripped - I have seen the newspaper article. My point was that too many people go straight down the call an ambulance route...a taxi... driving them etc are quicker and save the emergency services a call out.

grannytomine · 02/06/2017 20:00

I got told off for not calling an ambulance for similar fall. Shouldn't have moved, could be spinal injury, you can't win.

user1489675144 · 02/06/2017 20:03

NormaSmuff - yes probably... lol journalists love this type of story... poor old lady sat on floor whilst relatives call and recall ambulance to find out why they are taking so long (probably trying to save someones life elsewhere)... they almost but not quite take her themselves but find moaning about the slow service a better option.

The fact she is watering hanging baskets herself shows she has a certain amount of ability to get on with things but no doubt once on the floor better to wait as instructed. PS The daughter in law is a fire officer... she could have helped her get to hospital... ?

NotYoda · 02/06/2017 20:16

... or is better equipped that most to understand you don't move an old person who hasn't been medically assessed

purplebunny2012 · 02/06/2017 20:52

If he considered driving, he should have done! Why waste tax payers money calling for an unnecessary ambulance?

lilacmamacat · 02/06/2017 21:17

When my 70-something year old mother broke her wrist, she went to the hospital by bus. When I asked her why she hadn't called me at work, she said "I didn't want to bother you".

pollymere · 02/06/2017 22:39

I've taken a toddler with a fever on the bus after being told an ambulance wasn't necessary. I've since realised that neighbours etc will usually rally round to give you a lift. It's much quicker and you'll be seen with the same priority as an ambulance (without the extra hour wait). You could also go to Urgent Care and be seen within the hour rather than waiting six to eight in A and E.

Orroco · 02/06/2017 22:49

I waited well over an hour for an ambulance after having a seizure (for the first and so far only time) - a broken wrist does not necessitate an ambulance and they should have driven her themselves if they were that worried!

nokidshere · 03/06/2017 00:04

My mil had more than one fall towards the end of her life. We called an ambulance each time because after the first fall, when we weren't sure what she had done, the paramedics said elderly people who have fallen should not be lifted and moved, you should always call an ambulance. If they are able to get up alone that was fine.

Twice she ended up in hospital (the first time she had ever been in hospital in her 97 years) and a couple of times the paramedics checked her over, then moved her and checked again, stayed with her for a while and then gave her an all clear to stay at home. They were fab and they are the professionals so know what they are looking for.

As it happened, I was alone and unable to move her anyway due to my own ill health.

You wouldn't move someone at the scene of an accident, elderly people falling in their own home is no different.

Neelie31 · 03/06/2017 07:48

Late addition to thread I know!
My daughter is a paramedic and you wouldn't believe what they get called out to. Seems to be two types of people, the first who don't want to be any trouble and wait too long for help and need to taken at breakneck speed on lights and the second attention seekers who want a free taxi. What is interesting is that this last week the public have been arriving at the ambulance station with food (in the wake of m/cr) A strange perception on the part of the public. This person was very lucky to only wait that time for a non emergency. Bet she had a much longer wait at the hospital!

HashiAsLarry · 03/06/2017 08:00

A few years back I broke my arm very badly. The paramedics had to be called to me. Due to how I'd fallen no one could get me up without causing a shit load of pain. Even the paramedics until gas and air was produced. I'd also damaged myself on my legs but not to breakage level.

Other times (I'm a broken bone queen) I have managed to pick myself up and get someone else to take me.

Really depends on how she landed.