‘MY SIX-HOUR AMBULANCE WAIT HELL’
A BUS driver who tripped on a paving slab in Cardiff city centre claims he had to wait more than six hours for an ambulance to arrive.
David Addis, who has worked for Cardiff Bus for 17 years, thought he had badly damaged his hip when he fell on Westgate Street on Monday, November 13.
One of his work colleagues dialled 999 where a call handler from the Welsh Ambulance Service allegedly instructed the 63-year-old not to move until paramedics arrived.
But Mr Addis said an ambulance failed to turn up for more than six hours, forcing him to stay on a “freezing” cold pavement from 12.50pm to 7pm.
He was eventually taken to the University Hospital of Wales in a taxi.
“I was walking past the Probation Office and the next thing I know I’m lying on the floor,” said Mr Addis, who lives in Rhydyfelin, near Pontypridd.
“I’d tripped over the pavement and landed badly. I’ve already had two knee replacements and two hip replacements, so I immediately thought I’d damaged my hip.”
Grandfather of five Mr Addis, who was on his way to drive the number 50 bus to Llanrumney when the incident took place, said a number of Good Samaritans came to his aid.
“All the boys [from Cardiff Bus] gave me their jackets, but as I was told not to move I didn’t have anything on my back. It was freezing,” he added.
“There was one bus driver who finished his shift at 2.30pm and was still with me by 7pm. They were all brilliant, to be fair.
“There were two City Ambassadors who went to two hotels and got duvets and blankets for me.
“And there were PCSOs from South Wales Police who stayed with me and even called the ambulance themselves. They couldn’t believe how long it was taking.”
Mr Addis said several people called the ambulance control room in Cwmbran for an update.
“One minute I was second, then I was sixth and then I was first. They just kept on moving me up and down the list,” he added.
Cardiff Bus was in the process of sending one of its spare buses to pick him up and take him to hospital when a paramedic on a bicycle showed up.
“They initially thought I’d broken my shoulder,” he added.
“Once they’d established that I was okay to be lifted off the ground I was put into a taxi and taken to hospital.
“I know there’s a tremendous amount of pressure on the ambulance service but what I went through was disgusting.”
After being assessed by medics at the University Hospital of Wales, it was discovered that Mr Addis had suffered ligament damage to his shoulder.
He said it is not known when he will be able to return to work and is likely to need physiotherapy.
His wife Diane, 74, said she has made an official complaint to the Welsh Ambulance Service but has heard nothing in response.
“I just find it all very difficult to believe,” she said.
“How can someone be left lying outside in the cold for that amount of time?
“I left my complaint with the Welsh Ambulance Service the day after it happened, and I was told somebody would get in touch within 48 hours.
“It’s now a week later and I still haven’t hard anything.”
A spokesman for the Welsh Ambulance Service says its concerns team has now spoken to Mrs Addis to acknowledge receipt of her complaint and begin an investigation.
Judith White, the Welsh Ambulance Service’s area manager for south east Wales, said: “We would like to sincerely apologise to Mr Addis for the wait he experienced, as we completely appreciate how distressing this would have been for him.
“We can confirm that we have received Mrs Addis’ concerns and would like to reassure them both that we will remain in contact as we examine in detail why this happened.
“The wait Mr Addis encountered does not represent the standard of service we aim to provide for our patients, and we send him our best wishes for his recovery while we carry out our inquiries.”