Grange Hospital: Grandfather, 83, had cardiac arrest in car park after ambulance couldn't attend

An elderly grandfather went into cardiac arrest in a hospital car park after being told there were no ambulances to take him into A&E, his relative has said.

Steven Parsons, from Monmouth, has spoken of his shock and upset after being told there were no ambulances available for his ill 83-year-old grandfather and had to take him to hospital himself.

But when he got there he had a cardiac arrest in the A&E carpark. Remarkably, thanks to a nurse's quick-thinking and hard work, the elderly gentleman survived the incident - but remains in hospital receiving medical care.

Mr Parsons explained that his grandfather had been struggling to breathe for much of last week and his condition had got progressively worse up to Tuesday, December 27.

Concerned for his grandfather's health, Mr Parsons phoned NHS 111 for advice and was advised to take his grandfather to see a GP the following day - but later that very evening he collapsed in the bathroom at his home.

Mr Parsons immediately called 999 and explained the situation and a brief history of his grandfather's ill health, but says he was told an ambulance would not be able to get to them - and that he had to take his grandfather to A&E himself. With no ambulance coming, Mr Parsons drove his grandfather the 40-minute drive from his grandfather's home in Wyesham to The Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran, he says, keeping him talking and keeping him conscious.

Sadly, his grandfather then collapsed in his arms in the A&E carpark and went into cardiac arrest. Mr Parsons believes the only reason his grandfather is still here today is because of the amazing work of a nurse, understood to be named Arianne, who saved his life. Mr Parsons is concerned people are at risk of their conditions deteriorating, or worse, if they're not able to be seen by paramedics or an ambulance and have to make their own way to hospital.

Speaking to WalesOnline shortly after visiting his grandfather in hospital on Sunday, January 2, Mr Parsons, 31, said: "My grandfather had been having issues breathing for a few days and they'd got worse so we called 111 on Tuesday [December 27]. We were on the phone for about two hours and got a call back from a GP who said we should hold on and try and go to our GP the next day. I did explain that my grandfather had had a hernia operation on December 8 as well.

"My grandfather asked me to stay over and while I was getting ready for bed, my nan shouted for me and said he [my grandfather] had passed out in the bathroom, he was so grey in the face and he had a tight chest. We called 999 but they wouldn't send an ambulance. So I got him dressed and took him to A&E [at the Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran]. I kept him talking the whole way there.

"We arrived at A&E and he was losing consciousness, I carried him and he went into cardiac arrest there in the carpark. I was shouting out for help - a nurse, Arianne, saved his life. I'm sharing what happened because I don't want anyone else to be in that position where you're carrying your grandfather across the carpark."

In hospital, Mr Parsons' grandfather was told he had a blood clot in his lung, and he remains in hospital receiving treatment. Mr Parsons and his family have sent flowers to the nurse, to thank her for saving his grandfather's life. After a few days in hospital, Mr Parsons' grandfather is beginning to bounce back, his family said, but is likely to be in hospital for at least another week. The family plan on visiting every day and hope Mr Parsons' speaking out about what happened will help warn others of the pressures on the Ambulance Service at the moment - and how difficult it could be for patients and their families.

'Not the service we wish to provide'

The Welsh Ambulance Service has since apologised for not being able to send an ambulance to Mr Parsons' grandfather and say they will be in contact with the family after the bank holiday to discuss the matter further. They are wishing Mr Parsons' grandfather a full recovery.

Jeff Morris, Head of emergency medical services for the central region at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: "We would like to extend our sincere apologies to Mr Parsons and his grandfather. This is not the level of service any of us wishes to provide, but demand has been such that we have had no option other than to ask some patients to make their own way to hospital, as was the experience of this family.

"We understand completely that this is distressing and worrying for patients, families and carers, but it is sometimes a more timely option than waiting for an ambulance when we know that wait is likely to be considerable. We have received a concern from Mr Parsons about his grandfather’s experience and we will be in touch with him to discuss matters further. Meanwhile, we wish Mr Parsons’ grandfather well and hope that he makes a full recovery.”

A statement from the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, which manages the Grange University Hospital, added: "You will no doubt have seen the extreme pressures on the NHS across Wales and the UK at the moment. Our sites are no different, and with large numbers of patients presenting with respiratory viruses - particularly flu and Covid-19 - we’re experiencing unprecedented demand and long waits for our services. The significant increase in respiratory viruses across our communities is also causing high levels of staff sickness, which is placing further pressure on our services and our staff.

"We ask for your support in using our services appropriately to help us treat the very sickest patients as quickly as possible. If you’re unsure where to go, please check your symptoms with the online symptom checker or call 111. Our Minor Injury Units at the Royal Gwent, Nevill Hall Hospital and Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr are open throughout the bank holidays and are there to treat a variety of minor injuries, including minor burns, sprains and bites.

"Please only attend the Emergency Department if absolutely necessary, and be prepared for a long wait if you do attend. Due to the extreme challenges we are currently facing, it’s possible that you or a relative may receive treatment in an area that we wouldn’t normally utilise.

"We have very limited seated capacity in the waiting room of our ED, which we understand is an ongoing issue and we are progressing plans to expand it. Please can we ask that if there is no social/carer reason for relatives to accompany patients, that they wait in their cars or the restaurant, to allow patients space to sit in the waiting area and for staff to observe them in case they deteriorate. If a patient needs somebody to accompany them, this must be restricted to just one person.

"We wholeheartedly apologise for these circumstances- this is not the standard of service we aim to provide, but our staff are doing their very best, so please be kind to the people who spend their days caring for others. Please also check in on your vulnerable relatives, neighbours and friends to ensure they have enough food and medication, and that they are warm and comfortable. Looking out for them and checking they are well could help them avoid a hospital admission over winter."