"No ambulance came"

Called Ambulance at around 1. 30pm for Gentleman found faceplanted on floor, unable to get up. Gentleman from coast guard stopped to assist with first aid bag, unable to move patient due to unknown injuries, waited about 30 mins no ambulance. Matron from Lymington hospital stopped checked temp 35. 5 waited a further 30 mins checked temp again now 34. 1

contacted 999 again to get progress report on ambulance told by operator that patient was in queue was there any change in condition told about temp. Operator said that didnt warrant any up grade, they bluntly told us not to phone again. do they not know about hypothermia. patient was lying on the cold ground for over 1 hr. eventually a response car with a GP on their way to another patient, Dr checked out patients spine and decided patient could be moved.. Although he spoke to someone using the Paramedics radio to upgrade this gentleman. With the aid of the local fire service we were able to get the Gentleman to his feet and get him home where it was warm. The Fire Officer contacted the ambulance service to redirect the ambulance and was told that he would now be upgraded and an ambulance would be there soon. Unfortunately after 4 hours no Ambulance arrived and the family took the patient to hospital. I appreciate that emergencies take priority, and my complaint is not the ambulance service. its the fact that some operator should think that a potential hypothermia is unimportant. May be they need more training.