They Also Serve

... Who Only Stand And Wait 

wrote John Milton. I want to flag up the brilliant service of our ambulance crews and paramedics [did you know that as well as volunteer St John's Ambulance workers, there is also a professional paid section, whose teams are currently working alongside the NHS Ambulance Service?]  On Friday I learned an awful lot about these hardworking people. 

My very elderly neighbour X was unwell. Her relation called the surgery, and somebody came out and said she needed to go into hospital immediately . An ambulance was called. She was nervous about going alone and the relation could not go with her. I offered to accompany her. This was agreed by all concerned [patient, relation and paramedics] I said I'd stay till she was admitted, and then Bob would come and collect me from the hospital. As we left, an ambulance pulled up outside my other neighbour's house

We got to hospital just before 3.30pm. And went into a queue. We speculated about neighbour Y. The paramedics were great, so kind to my friend. They fetched tea, and sandwiches and biscuits for her. She needed the loo, so they wheeled her trolley out and round into the hospital. On the way back, one paramedic spotted the other ambulance.

She tapped on the door "are you the crew who were at....with Y? Your neighbour Angela is round the corner in our ambulance with X" 

They brought X back, and said I could go and visit Y who was unaccompanied. 

So I spent the afternoon shuttling between the two, and sending reports to their families. And we waited, and waited... 

At one point there were almost 40 ambulances waiting in the sunshine. Many kept their engines running [to keep the electrical equipment working, I was told] The air in the car park was thick with diesel fumes. 

The paramedics were kind, and resolutely cheerful - and it was well after 10pm before these two elderly ladies were wheeled out of their vehicles into the building. But even then it was just into a holding area, and they were lifted onto different trolleys. A new team of paramedics took over. Our teams finished their shifts, said goodbye to the patients, and went home [they were due to finish at 9pm] X and Y were put on adjacent trolleys. I finally said goodnight, and Bob picked me up at 11pm. 

There was a serious bed shortage at the hospital, and these friends were still in that space on Saturday morning. The staff were obviously frustrated, but did not let that affect their professionalism, nor their care for the patients. "but out of a 12hour shift, I've basically been providing a personalised waiting room for one person for 7 hours, when I'm supposed to be on the road, collecting and delivering many people" said one woman. 

The whole situation was quite surreal. It should not be like this. 

I am sad for these key workers who cannot do their job properly 

I am sad for an uncomplaining 90year old lying on a trolley for hours

I am sad that so many people were misled and lied to

I pray that hearts will change, that policies will change, and that things will get better...