Madam,

I am writing about my recent experiences with the poor ambulance response service in Ceredigion, which has directly affected my wife who is bed-ridden.

On one occasion in October, the doctor visited my wife and, during the visit, phoned the ambulance service at 3pm, stating he wanted my wife moved to Bronglais Hospital as a matter of urgency. He was informed the response time would be two hours, whereas in fact the ambulance arrived at 11.30pm and she was admitted to Bronglais after midnight.

The most recent example was on 25 November when my wife fell out of bed and, as she is too heavy for the carers or myself to lift, I phoned the ambulance service for assistance at 2pm.

No response time was given despite three more phone calls over a matter of hours. We were always informed they were busy and needed to prioritise.

There was still no ambulance by 8pm, when one of my neighbours suggested I phone the fire service, who arrived within 15 minutes.

Whilst I fully understand the need for the ambulance service to prioritise calls, one can only assume that others within the county are experiencing such a lack of service, which is always blamed on budget cuts.

I have to say the doctors, nurses and carers have been brilliant as no doubt the ambulance staff are, but my recent experience is that overall the ambulance response service is poor.

Yours etc,

W J Williams, Borth.

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