"I can’t understand why we had to wait 5 hours for an ambulance"

We called an ambulance to a lady having a heart problem. the ambulance arrived very quick, and the crew were very good, and said she did the right thing in calling them. If it happened again call an ambulance. They then took her to Bournemouth a and e. she was kept in over night for tests, and sent home in the morning with medication.

A week later, she had the same heart problems again. Remembering the ambulance men said to phone straight away

She phoned at 2 a. m., was told it was on its way. Phoned again at 3 a. m.  She was told it was on its way.  Phoned again 4 a. m.  She was told they were very busy, but they would be with her soon as possible.  She was getting very worried.  Phoned again at 5. 30.  She was told ambulance would be with her as soon as one was availiable.  The ambulance arrived 6. 40. this is 4 hours and 40 mins after first 999 phone call.

We were expecting the A&E. to be very busy like it was the previous Thursday, but it was almost empty. 2 people waiting in reception. Outside, a number of ambulances were parked with crews waiting, standing about talking and smoking. They didn’t look very busy, in my opinion.

I can’t understand why we had to wait 5 hours for an ambulance, and told how busy they were, when there was no sign of it when we got to Bournemouth hospital.  There must be an explanation for it.

This lady has a heart problem, but she says she won’t call an ambulance again after this experience.