An elderly woman who reportedly fractured her hip was left ‘screaming in pain’ on the wooden floor for more than a day while waiting for ambulance to arrive.
Care home staff heard a loud bump at around 11:45 on December 17 and found Elizabeth Davies, 93, laying on the floor.
After waiting for more than 25 hours, Elizabeth was finally taken to Ysbyty Gwyneed in Wales, United Kingdom.
But upon arrival, the elderly woman had to wait 12 hours more before finally being admitted to a ward.
Photos released by the news outlet show Elizabeth on a wooden floor with a blanket and a cushion while waiting in agony for ambulance to arrive.
Her family said that it took more than a day for medics to come and take her to the hospital.
Elizabeth’s furious son, Ian Davis, told NorthWalesLive that he was told his mother would be considered a priority because of her age.
He praised the staff at the care home where his mother had been living for 17 years, saying they made his mother feel as comfortable as they could despite the pain.
The staff supported Elizabeth’s head with a cushion, placed a blanket over her and put a heater next to her to keep her arm.
Because she couldn’t go to the toilet, they also placed an absorbent pad on her.
According to the publication, the care home made nine calls to the ambulance. Employees also stayed with her throughout the night until an ambulance arrived more than 25 hours later.
The Welsh Ambulance Service has apologized for the delays and expressed that the lack of staff, seasonal pressures and demand in the hospital have led to long wait times.
Stephen Sheldon, service manager for the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “”Winter pressures coupled with a surge in demand, staff sickness levels, and the wider system pressures across NHS Wales has inhibited our ability to respond.
“Extensive hospital handover delays are well documented and have led to some very long waits for patients. We are working with partners across Wales to mitigate the pressures as best we can.”
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