Woman waits for ambulance
A woman in need of medical attention was expected to wait for two hours for an ambulance
AN assault, four epileptic seizures and a wait of more than two hours for an EMRS ambulance to arrive is what Christina Heman suffered in Richards Bay.
After hearing cries for help at 8am, Rachel Fourie ran out to her gate and found Heman sitting on the pavement crying, claiming she had been attacked and was, according to Fourie, ‘not in a good condition’.
Fourie helped her inside her house and an ambulance was called.
After 10 minutes on the phone answering questions, Fourie had had enough and contacted a private ambulance service. After making the call a 911 ambulance was contacted and dispatched.
During this time Heman started having epileptic seizures and her condition just kept deteriorating said Fourie.
Twenty minutes later the 911 Ambulance arrived and Heman was treated by the paramedics.
Well over an hour after the 911 ambulance arrived and left, the EMRS ambulance finally showed up. When questioned why the response time was so long, Fourie was allegedly told it was because only one ambulance was currently working.
However, uThungulu EMRS District Manager, V Naidoo, said there are five operational ambulances within the zone and 17 operational in the district.
He added that the ambulance crews are extremely busy but they always try to get to any emergency as quickly and safely as they possibly can.
‘We will investigate the incident and more information will be collected,’ Naidoo said.
This is the usual case when it comes to most government departments. Private ambulances although they are not free are usually first on scene which does make a huge impact on the patient care and treatment.
Mabye you should use our tax money and get more ambulances and train more people. then this crap wouldnt happen.