95-Year-Old Woman Left in the Cold for Hours: How Ambulance Priorities Failed Her
- Replies 0
In a distressing incident that raises serious concerns about emergency service prioritisation, 95-year-old Winifred Soanes endured a horrifying ordeal that defied all expectations of compassion and care. After falling and breaking her hip on Christchurch High Street in Dorset, Winifred was left waiting in the freezing cold for an ambulance for five agonizing hours.
An Army Veteran’s Love and Devotion
By her side, the entire time was Winifred’s 92-year-old husband, Andrew, an army veteran and diabetic. Refusing to leave her in such a vulnerable state, Andrew braved the freezing conditions, his unwavering devotion becoming a poignant reminder of their shared resilience.
Strangers and local businesses rallied to provide comfort, using makeshift items such as shoeboxes, pillows, sleeping bags, blankets, hot water bottles, coffee, and food. While heartwarming, these gestures could not replace the professional medical care Winifred desperately needed.
Systemic Shortfalls in Emergency Services
Winifred’s chilling statement, “I’m going to die here tonight,” spoken as she lay in pain on the icy pavement, has sent shockwaves through her community. Despite repeated 999 calls made by concerned passersby, ambulance chiefs deemed her “not a priority,” sparking outrage and a deep sense of injustice.
The South Western Ambulance Service later apologized for the delay, attributing the issue to handover challenges at emergency departments. Yet this explanation offers little comfort to those who expect timely and effective care, especially for the most vulnerable.
The harrowing experience of Winifred Soanes highlights the urgent need for action and reform to safeguard our seniors and ensure they receive prompt, professional care when needed. It’s imperative to review how emergency services prioritize calls and address systemic inefficiencies to prevent such incidents in the future.
Here at Seniors Discount Club, we know how critical it is to advocate for older folks. Have you or a loved one faced similar challenges with emergency services? What changes do you believe are necessary to ensure seniors receive the care they deserve? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
An Army Veteran’s Love and Devotion
By her side, the entire time was Winifred’s 92-year-old husband, Andrew, an army veteran and diabetic. Refusing to leave her in such a vulnerable state, Andrew braved the freezing conditions, his unwavering devotion becoming a poignant reminder of their shared resilience.
Andrew, Winifred’s 92-year-old husband and army veteran, stayed by her side through the freezing conditions. Image source: Jennifer Baylis
Strangers and local businesses rallied to provide comfort, using makeshift items such as shoeboxes, pillows, sleeping bags, blankets, hot water bottles, coffee, and food. While heartwarming, these gestures could not replace the professional medical care Winifred desperately needed.
Systemic Shortfalls in Emergency Services
Winifred’s chilling statement, “I’m going to die here tonight,” spoken as she lay in pain on the icy pavement, has sent shockwaves through her community. Despite repeated 999 calls made by concerned passersby, ambulance chiefs deemed her “not a priority,” sparking outrage and a deep sense of injustice.
The chilling moment Winifred said, 'I’m going to die here tonight,' has sent shockwaves through her community. Image source: Jennifer Baylis
The South Western Ambulance Service later apologized for the delay, attributing the issue to handover challenges at emergency departments. Yet this explanation offers little comfort to those who expect timely and effective care, especially for the most vulnerable.
The South Western Ambulance Service apologized for the delay, blaming handover issues at emergency departments, but this explanation does little to ease public concern over timely care. Image source: Jennifer Baylis
The harrowing experience of Winifred Soanes highlights the urgent need for action and reform to safeguard our seniors and ensure they receive prompt, professional care when needed. It’s imperative to review how emergency services prioritize calls and address systemic inefficiencies to prevent such incidents in the future.
Here at Seniors Discount Club, we know how critical it is to advocate for older folks. Have you or a loved one faced similar challenges with emergency services? What changes do you believe are necessary to ensure seniors receive the care they deserve? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
