Vocal Voices

I have been back to ASDA to get more information.

The lady's son had been in with a big box of chocolates and a bunch of flowers for the staff as a 'Thank You'. His mum had reached back in to her car for her handbag and carriers and as she stood up felt a bit dizzy. When she was walking away she stumbled and fell, banging her head (stitches req) and suffering a minor concussion. She is being kept in hospital for a few day's observation, but should be home at the weekend. H, the ASDA First Aider, will text me if there is any other news, but all looks fine so far. Now for the other stuff.

I spent from about 10 am to early afternoon trying to get to speak to someone about the ambulance and surgery debacles. It was all 'Not us, you need this number' but I stuck with it. I eventually spoke to a manager who advised me to write in a complaint as that way I would have evidence and a response would have to be given. I also found out that the ASDA manager had done the same thing. One complaint, by registered letter, is on its way.

The surgery looked to have been hiding behind the law in that they did not have a duty of care outside of the surgery for a non-registered patient. However, it was agreed, that they do have the duty of a decent human being to offer care when it is requested. I was advised by the local Health Board to make a complaint to the General Medical Council, so that's another registered letter on its way.

I have also written to my MP, Greg Mulholland.

I have decided not to go the radio/papers route as it might not be the sort of publicity the family would like, even if it was done anonymously.


Sorry for the long rant.

There was a commotion in ADSA car park where an older woman had collapsed some time earlier, and the staff were doing First Aid and trying to keep a route clear for the ambulance.

When I was going in the store I happened to ask at the desk what was going on and was told that the ambulance had been called some 15 minutes ago. I asked her to ring again, and when she did I then went off to shop. On my way out I noticed through the window the woman still lying there and asked again about the ambulance and was told that they had now rung three times. It was now over 40 mins since the lady had collapsed.

Just over the road from the car park, less than 100m away, is a Doctors' Surgery and Chemists so I called in to ask if the emergency had been reported there:

No, nobody had reported it.
OK, then I am. Can someone come over to look?
You said an ambulance had been called.
It has, nearly an hour ago. Can someone with a medical qualification please take a look, even if it is only to reassure and give support.
Have you tried the Community Health Centre (next to ASDA) it might have been them who called the ambulance.
It might have been, but I am asking you for help.
You'll have to try the health centre.
OK, OK, but I am coming back.

The health centre is really a clinic and does not always have doctors on duty, and today was one of those days! The reception told me that they had also called for an ambulance and would call again.

So, its back to the Doctors' and words with the practice manager. I explained the situation and again requested help from a trained medic. I might as well have gone to the Post Office for all the help I was getting. Eventually they called for the ambulance again and the explanation for its delay was because the patient was conscious and breathing normally. That was fine, as things go, but I warned her that if it was my mother lying out there I would be over the desk to drag a doctor kicking and screaming over the car park to look at her.... "And you would do, too!" I told her, with pointed finger. She sort of nodded. I then informed her that I was going to see what was happening, but that I would be back if there was no change and I would get them to help.....

As I was approaching the lady and the ASDA staff a paramedic ambulance was seen down the road, so we got everyone clear so that the medic could get to the patient. She was obviously in a bad way and unaware of her surroundings and the paramedic was concerned enough to expedite an emergency ambulance. Nothing was said, for obvious reasons, but from the treatment being given and the questions being asked it looked as though a minor stroke could have been the cause.

I went back to the surgery to report, as promised, and I have told them that they had better pray the woman is OK; because if she isn't I have a good memory and witnesses to their lack of action, care and compassion.

Thanks for bearing with me.

That is absolutely dreadful!!! You hear all of the time about that 'Golden Hour' after a bad turn, when getting treatment can mean the difference between life or death

I don't know what is shocking me more, the fact that the ambulance took so long, or the callousness from the HC

((((((((((((((((((Frank))))))))))))))))))))))) xxx

Words fail me Frank - they really do

If it was a minor stroke than that huge delay could well cost that poor woman her independence because the sooner they are diagnosed and treated the better the chance of a full recovery.

A shame on that doctors surgery, whatever happened to the Hippocratic Oath and a shame on the ambulance services

Well done you for doing as much as you did - not many others would have kicked up a fuss.

Nobody cares a damn these days. Good job you did.

We could do with a lot more like you WM x

I am still shaking.

I was a trained First Aider from my RAF days and could see that the ASDA staff had done the right things. Somebody had taken a sleeping bag from the shelves and had rolled the lady on to it in the recovery position. Someone else had got a parasol to keep the sun off, and there were damp cloths to wet her lips and mop her brow. Others were keeping the rubber-neckers at bay, so I left them to it.- too many cooks, and all that. A great big "Well Done!" to ASDA.

Despite their lack of concern I was really surprised that I was the only person to have called on the surgery for help. Why nobody had thought of doing that right from the start defies me.

Calm down Frank you deserve a medal for what you have done
Ambulances don't even come here if you want one because it's 22 mile to nearest a e
And our hospital wouldn't even admit you if you collapsed at the door
I hope the lady is ok
I see that gp surgerys are to be inspected by government today so they will start closing I think
The end is nigh for our health services

Firstly, like all of us, I also hope the lady will be OK. And well done, WM for taking the actions you did.

If it were me - I think I might be penning a letter to the local rag. Outline the events, and give the location of the Asda. Praise the Asda staff and then finish with a few pertinent questions (without naming names) as to why others in the locality couldn't / wouldn't give help, given the ambulance response time. You never know, the local press might just pick up and run with the story .....

Good thinking there Ossie

That has been in my mind as well, Ossie, but I worry about the effect on her family and friends and what they would want.

I visit ASDA most days so I will try to keep track of what happened through them.