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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I know IABU, blatantly using this for traffic. Emergency situation, no ambulance still, and need advice

765 replies

TheChinkOfaGlass · 19/12/2022 16:35

Hi everyone

My Auntie had a fall this morning and has seriously hurt her hip. Luckily she was close enough to the bed to get herself up on it.

999 said it is not an emergency and to contact 111, she was in severe agony and is 78 years old. I rang 111 who after assessing her, decided she did indeed need an ambulance.

I had originally offered to take her to the hospital but she lives on the top floor of a maisonette, and is unable to sit up (so a car journey would be no good and I would be unable to carry her to the car anyway. I did get help but she declined due to the inability to even sit up).

Her husband is disabled so isn't much use (I mean this in the nicest possible way, he is trying his best) other than keeping an eye on her.

So we could be waiting hours for an ambulance but in the meantime she is soaked through on the bed due to urinating on herself. I am going there in the next 30 minutes.

Is it safe to roll her to change the sheets to make her more comfortable? I don't like the idea of her lying in a soaking bed while she waits. I am also scared of causing more pain/damage by moving her. We do not know what's wrong, she thinks it may he her hip. I just don't know what to do. I have never experienced this kind of thing.

Her partner has managed to change her underwear but when the bed is so wet, it wouldn't really make a difference.

OP posts:
Mykittensmittens · 20/12/2022 11:34

Apologies if this has already been mentioned. Not sure how ‘mid’ in wales the OP is but the betsi cadwalader trust, which covers north wales and down to Wrexham/Flintshire has declared a critical status due to overload.

Betsi Cadwaladr health board declares critical incident www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-64025811

I am honestly fearful of any of us being seriously ill. My poor grandmother has been taken to hospital this morning as she is in her last days. It was always the aim to keep her in her nursing home but now that seems unlikely as she needs some medical intervention. I feel very worried about the level of care she is going to get (or not, as the case may be).

Rowthe · 20/12/2022 12:11

Wagsandclaws · 20/12/2022 09:26

Yes to the meds shortage.

I can't get my type 2 diabetes medication either.

I asked if there is a shortage and was told that Ozempic ( semaglutide ) keeps coming in and out of stock - this was last Thursday.

It's all such a mess.

Its cos of the weight loss. People are buying it to lose weight so less to give to patients with diabetes.

UrsulaPandress · 20/12/2022 12:16

I despair.

I had an early appointment with a chiropractor today and the roads were very quiet. Maybe folk are staying home to stay safe.

I truly hope your aunt has got some medical attention.

EmmaAgain22 · 20/12/2022 13:01

Rowthe · 20/12/2022 12:11

Its cos of the weight loss. People are buying it to lose weight so less to give to patients with diabetes.

Show quote history

Yes, it was suggested to me on here. I didn't go for it.

market clearly needs more regulation.

Elphame · 20/12/2022 13:09

Article in the Daily Mail now about a 93 year old lying on the floor for 25 hours before an ambulance came. Also in Wales.

My parents (in their 80s) have chosen to move out of Wales for better health care this summer. Bad as it is in England, the Labour controlled NHS in Wales is far far worse.

EmmaAgain22 · 20/12/2022 13:10

Mykittensmittens · 20/12/2022 11:34

Apologies if this has already been mentioned. Not sure how ‘mid’ in wales the OP is but the betsi cadwalader trust, which covers north wales and down to Wrexham/Flintshire has declared a critical status due to overload.

Betsi Cadwaladr health board declares critical incident www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-64025811

I am honestly fearful of any of us being seriously ill. My poor grandmother has been taken to hospital this morning as she is in her last days. It was always the aim to keep her in her nursing home but now that seems unlikely as she needs some medical intervention. I feel very worried about the level of care she is going to get (or not, as the case may be).

Oh dear
do you know what intervention she needs?

I ask because my dad's end of life was dragged out unnecessarily - partly due to my mum, but on reflection I'm not sure she was best placed to give consent for things.

TrimTheTree · 20/12/2022 13:35

Thekormachameleon · 20/12/2022 06:37

I'm sorry about your aunt op and I do really hope help arrives soon for her

For those saying call 999 and lie about the severity - I hope none of your relatives die whilst waiting for an ambulance that has been sent to someone who has lied

I've just got home after yet another heartbreaking and depressing 12 hour shift. I spent 20 minutes talking a 12 year old through cpr on his father, when the ambulances arrived, dad was fine just had abdo pain but had been advised of the delays so clearly they thought they'd beat these by pretending he was in cardiac arrest

Not only distressing for me but fucking horrendous for someone who may actually have died whilst that ambulance went to him

Holy fucking shit. That poor messed up kid, I would report to social services for that and be seeking a criminal charge or some sort, that’s fucking horrendous. An adult with abdominal pain needs seeing by a doctor he can get himself to see unless he’s haemorrhaging.

Mykittensmittens · 20/12/2022 13:37

@EmmaAgain22 not sure, waiting to hear from DM. She’s 90, very frail, alzheimers, and has suddenly become breathless (and distressed with it - otherwise we would have left her at the home). I assume some oxygen? Her heart is very weak, apparently. At the home I think she would die with dignity and a lot of 1-2-1 care and attention. I’m worried in hospital that won’t happen.

Rowthe · 20/12/2022 13:39

Elphame · 20/12/2022 13:09

Article in the Daily Mail now about a 93 year old lying on the floor for 25 hours before an ambulance came. Also in Wales.

My parents (in their 80s) have chosen to move out of Wales for better health care this summer. Bad as it is in England, the Labour controlled NHS in Wales is far far worse.

Youd think thisnwpuld cement why we need good work conditions for paramedics,.but instead it's still propaganda against the paramedics striking.

Can only imagine what will happen during the strikes

EmmaAgain22 · 20/12/2022 13:42

Mykittensmittens · 20/12/2022 13:37

@EmmaAgain22 not sure, waiting to hear from DM. She’s 90, very frail, alzheimers, and has suddenly become breathless (and distressed with it - otherwise we would have left her at the home). I assume some oxygen? Her heart is very weak, apparently. At the home I think she would die with dignity and a lot of 1-2-1 care and attention. I’m worried in hospital that won’t happen.

Yes, mum's just been in respite care and they could provide oxygen but maybe that's not standard.

all the best to her Flowers

Really hope OP auntie is being looked after now.

Original poster
TheChinkOfaGlass · 20/12/2022 14:22

Still no ambulance or technicians. Ambulance strike tomorrow. If that means another 48 hour wait, I don't think she will survive

OP posts:
wonkylegs · 20/12/2022 14:23

@Elphame that's a bit unfair when they are constrained by Westminster. It's not completely independent decision making when the purse strings are still held by the government.

I completely get that it's dire - I'm currently in a welsh hospital with my mum after a awful situation getting her here but it's fairly similar to the tales in my DHs English hospital

wonkylegs · 20/12/2022 14:25

@TheChinkOfaGlass I'm so sorry that's horrible. Can't offer any useful support but thinking of you and her.
Having been through it with mum, it's miserable and distressing but I'm sure she welcomes everything that you do.

BatshitBanshee · 20/12/2022 14:27

TheChinkOfaGlass · 20/12/2022 14:22

Still no ambulance or technicians. Ambulance strike tomorrow. If that means another 48 hour wait, I don't think she will survive

My heart is actually broken for you OP, I haven't stopped thinking of you or your poor auntie. Did you try her GP for pain relief or...literally anything at this point I suppose. God almighty it must feel like you're screaming into the ether for help and no answer.

ArabellaScott · 20/12/2022 14:32

OP this is unconscionable.

LadyWithLapdog · 20/12/2022 14:38

@Elphame if you really want to bring politics into it, and obviously you do, have a look at the shitshow the Tories have done with the NHS, austerity and poverty over the past 12 years, whilst lining their mates’ pockets with nice ‘contracts’.

EmmaAgain22 · 20/12/2022 14:39

TheChinkOfaGlass · 20/12/2022 14:22

Still no ambulance or technicians. Ambulance strike tomorrow. If that means another 48 hour wait, I don't think she will survive

What is it now, 30 hours? Is it possible a local pharmacy will have a better chance of getting a GP to come?

Is there any way MNers in the local area can help?

Cocolapew · 20/12/2022 14:40

This has really shocked me, i hope someone arrives soon, your poor Auntie.

NormasJeans · 20/12/2022 14:47

So sorry this is happening. I have been checking in regularly to see if an ambulance has turned up. Have you Googled private medical taxi/ private ambulance hire? I had a look and there seem to be services available in some areas.

nothingleftttt · 20/12/2022 14:48

Awful situation

CoffeeBoy · 20/12/2022 14:51

I’d honestly ring a mountain rescue team if you have one locally and beg them

Honeyroar · 20/12/2022 14:52

It’s so scary at the moment. My dad fell in summer and actually died when he shouldn’t have. My mum fell a fortnight ago and we were lucky that we did get an ambulance within hours, but then it was 48 hours away n a trolley in a corridor. It’s so frightening not being able to do anything and finding the emergency services we think we have in this country just aren’t there.

OP you sound like you’re doing everything right.? Sending you strength.

bestbefore · 20/12/2022 14:53

Absolutely disgraceful. Have you called the GP? Might help?

HoneyIshrunkthe · 20/12/2022 14:55

Honestly, at this point, I would gather a few people and get her into a car and to A&E as safely as possible.
When I initially read your post I thought DO NOT MOVE - but at this rate her best option is probably to be moved and transported by you or family or anyone for that matter.

OhBeAFineGuyKissMe · 20/12/2022 15:01

Have you managed to get through got her GP? Can someone come out and at least give some pain relief. Then you might be able to move her into a car and get to hospital.

But if the ambulances are that badly chocked up then the A&E department is too. Is there anyway of checking how busy they are?

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