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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How long should I wait for an ambulance?

37 replies

UndertheCedartree · 13/12/2023 22:47

The situation is relative in supported accommodation. I spoke to him at 5pm and woke him up (first time awake that day), I then phoned again at 9pm. The staff member couldn't get a response from him and seemed to panic, said they'd call me back. So I phoned again at 9.30 - shift change had happened - I asked if he was ok. They said 'yes', I asked to speak to him and they said he was fast asleep. I queried this and they then told me an ambulance had been called. I live close by so came over to the house within 10 minutes. I was told they thought he had taken something, he hadn't had his night medication and he was foaming at the mouth. He was just in his room alone. Not surprising as there is only one member of staff on at night and other residents. But I'm not sure what to do? If they think he had taken something but they don't know what shouldn't he be seen asap? On the other hand he's not unconscious but seems very drowsy/sleepy for not having taken his night medication and only awake for a few hours?

OP posts:
HungryandIknowit · 13/12/2023 22:50

I would take him to A&E.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 13/12/2023 22:50

HungryandIknowit · 13/12/2023 22:50

I would take him to A&E.

I can't - I can't get him awake.

OP posts:
HungryandIknowit · 13/12/2023 22:51

Depending on how long the ambulance is likely to be. I would confirm who called it and when.

Isthisexpected · 13/12/2023 22:51

I would call 999 myself at this point. The call handler can identify the original call and give you an update/give you escalation criteria.

HungryandIknowit · 13/12/2023 22:52

Have you called them yourself to confirm how long the ambulance will be?

Redglitter · 13/12/2023 22:53

I'd phone them myself. Make sure they know exactly his condition. They should be able to tell what they've graded the call & an idea of waiting times.

StarDolphins · 13/12/2023 22:54

I would call & fi dour how long the ambulance will be & say you want to bring him but he now won’t wake. I would also be asking staff member what time they rang.

Thekormachameleon · 13/12/2023 22:55

If you can't keep him awake enough to get him to a car to take him to hospital then you need to call 999 now and tell them that

determinedtomakethiswork · 13/12/2023 22:57

That's really scary for you. Did the person say how long the ambulance would be? When my mum fell and broke her hip outside then we rang several times over several hours. We knew they were getting fed up of us but what else can you do?

Mumof2teens79 · 13/12/2023 22:57

If you can't wake him he's not conscious

olderbutwiser · 13/12/2023 23:01

Call 999 - if he is unconscious with noisy breathing or suspected overdose he should get a c1 response which is the fastest they can do.

Don't ask how long the ambulance will be, they don’t know and that’s not the point, tell them his condition has worsened and stick with all the questions they ask - if it’s a c1 or even C2 they will put him for dispatch while you are still answering the questions.

hashbrownsandwich · 13/12/2023 23:01

If he's not roudabke enough to get him to a&e then this is an emergency and he's non responsive.

dontbuyadell · 13/12/2023 23:09

That's a 999 job and it should be a fairly rapid response (as in minutes) time.

Where abouts in the country are you? There's at least one ambulance service dealing with a major incident just now so if your in south wales the response time may be longer.

Rockschooldropout · 13/12/2023 23:11

Ring 999 again - he is now C1 .. You need to tell them he is not Concious

does he handle his own meds ? Is there any other medication he could have taken ?

adnabaam · 13/12/2023 23:13

I think he need to be seen asap

fridaynight1 · 13/12/2023 23:15

You need to call 999 and tell them he is unconscious.

Andthereyougo · 13/12/2023 23:18

Call 999.
Clear mouth and airway as much as possible but don’t push anything far into the mouth.
Roll your relative into the recovery position and keep checking breathing, pulse.
Is there a history of seizures?

ELCismyspiritnana · 13/12/2023 23:20

He is unconscious with potential overdose - he should be a priority. Call 999 back and tell them - including the time you have already waited as this might effect treatment.

Ask whoever is on duty to immediately call the escalation person for tonight and get them to intervene.

Tomorrow depending on outcome I would going absolutely batshit at the incompetent fool who was in charge at the time request a meeting with the provision.

But you need to get someone out ASAP. I would also put them in the recovery position and check air-ways if they have foamed at the mouth.

Andthereyougo · 13/12/2023 23:22

Call handler will tell you whether to leave him/her in bed or move to the floor. Follow their instructions.
Stay as calm as you can. Fitting/ foaming at the mouth ( if that is what this is) looks very alarming but often passes quite quickly.

Thegoodbadandugly · 13/12/2023 23:27

I hope you managed to get help op.

Andthereyougo · 13/12/2023 23:42

Tomorrow you need the names of all staff who were on duty, who was designated first aider ( they should all have basic FA training as a minimum)
Who was designated key worker to your relative.
To see all the written records from this evening relating to your relative.
There should be a detailed incident report stating exactly what steps were taken and these should be signed and timed. EG ambulance called at (time) by xxx signed ( staff member at xx pm ) Also check that meds were stored and administered according to care plan in place.
Contact your relatives social worker.

Hope your relative is ok and ambulance has got to you.

Ivyiris · 13/12/2023 23:43

999 definitely

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 13/12/2023 23:43

Thank you so much for all the responses. I phoned an ambulance told them all the details the staff member had told me and they kept me on the phone checking his breathing til an ambulance arrived. I have just got in and I'm raging! Either this staff member hadn't called an ambulance or they'd not given all the information. He couldn't wake him up so phoned an ambulance but left him alone in his room!! They leave this one person with no clue to be responsible for 8 people with mental health issues including giving them medication!! I am horrified!!

OP posts:
lovinglaughingliving · 13/12/2023 23:51

Christ, my heart was in my mouth reading that!
What did they say at hospital?
You need to report everywhere, including CQC. This cannot be allowed to happen to the most vulnerable in our society. X

TiptoeTess · 14/12/2023 00:12

You’ve just got in as in… home?
Is he ok??