My Son Waited Nine Hours in an Ambulance – A&E Was a Disaster Scene

Bournemouth: A woman named Donna Wilkins is sharing a tough story. Her son, James, who has autism and schizophrenia, waited nine hours in an ambulance. He had a suspected seizure, and they got to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital quickly. But then, they were stuck waiting to be seen.

When they finally got inside, Donna was shocked. The emergency room looked chaotic, like a scene from a disaster movie. There were beds in the hallways and trolleys everywhere. She saw an elderly man trying to sleep on a trolley, with his wife sitting beside him. It made her wonder how the NHS got to this point.

Donna recalled that this happened in January 2024, and sadly, not much has changed. A recent report highlighted how patients are often treated in hallways or even in car parks. It’s a real mess, and ambulances are often stuck outside, unable to help others.

During their wait, Donna heard urgent calls for ambulances over the radio. They even had to switch ambulances when the crew’s shift ended. James, who needs constant care, could have gotten upset, but the staff kept him calm with chats and Pokémon videos.

Despite the chaos, a manager brought Donna some hot lasagne and dessert. When they finally got a quiet space, James was seen by the staff. Donna praised them for their hard work, saying they deserve more credit. She believes the issues start with government funding and worries about the state of the NHS.

Reflecting on her past experiences, she noted that things were different 30 years ago. Back then, she never waited nine hours in an ambulance. She feels the NHS is in a shambles and urges politicians to take action. For families like hers, the NHS is vital, and it needs to be protected.