89-year-old Woman Endures 24-Hour Wait for Ambulance After Falling Down Stairs
An elderly woman, aged 89, endured a harrowing experience after falling down the stairs at her home and being left waiting for almost 24 hours for an ambulance to arrive. Shirley Harris, from Williamstown in the Rhondda, suffered a suspected hip fracture after missing a step and falling onto the floor. Her family, deeply worried and frustrated, made multiple calls to emergency services, only to be met with lengthy wait times and limited assistance.
According to reports, Mrs. Harris’ family first contacted emergency services at 10 am, where call handlers indicated a 4-8 hour wait time. Subsequent calls at 2:30 pm and 6 pm reiterated the same waiting period, despite assurances that Mrs. Harris was classified as a priority patient. Throughout the ordeal, Mrs. Harris was in excruciating pain, unable to move, and with inadequate pain relief, as she awaited medical assistance at the bottom of her stairs.
After multiple calls to emergency services and facing extended delays, Mrs. Harris received a visit from an out-of-hours GP at 3 am, who provided limited pain relief with co-codamol. It wasn’t until 7:20 am that an ambulance finally arrived, offering Mrs. Harris some relief with gas and air as she was transported to the hospital. However, the ordeal was far from over as she faced further delays and uncertainty upon arrival at the medical facility.
The Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant, the nearest hospital to Mrs. Harris’ home, was reportedly overcrowded, leading to additional waiting times and logistical challenges. Despite arriving at the hospital by 10:45 am, Mrs. Harris had yet to be properly assessed, with confirmation of a hip fracture and the need for surgery not coming until 12 pm. Scheduled surgeries were subsequently postponed, further prolonging Mrs. Harris’ suffering and causing distress to her family.
Following persistent advocacy from her family, Mrs. Harris underwent surgery on Saturday, January 11, over 73 hours after her initial fall. Thankfully, she is now on the path to recovery, supported by the diligent staff at Prince Charles hospital, who have been commended for their care despite facing severe staffing shortages. Amanda Thomas, Mrs. Harris’ niece, expressed deep frustration over the healthcare system’s failings, citing underfunding and staffing issues as key contributors to the inadequate response.
In response to the incident, the Welsh Ambulance Service issued an apology to Mrs. Harris and her family, acknowledging the distressing experience she endured. Executive Director of Operations, Lee Brooks, attributed the delays to systemic pressures and resource limitations, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the healthcare system. The service has pledged to work closely with partners and government stakeholders to address these issues and enhance service delivery in the future.