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David Kilgallon, 71, collapsed with a suspected broken leg and called 999, but had to lie across the threshold of his own home for hours on Wednesday afternoon. His disgusted family are making a formal complaint about the wait.

It’s not acceptable. At one point we were so desperate I was Googling private ambulances

David Kilgallon’s son Martin

David’s son Martin, who provided Yorkshire Live pictures of the ordeal with his father’s consent, said David has been weakened by chemotherapy and suddenly collapsed at home at around 5pm.

Medics didn’t arrive at the address in Batley, West Yorkshire, until 8pm, as rain lashed down.

After another hour of assessments and treatment, he finally left for Leeds General Infirmary at 9pm.

Martin, a dad of five, said: “My dad has brittle bones from the chemotherapy, he’s gone outside to get the post and as he turned to come back in he felt his leg snap and he fell across the threshold.

“It was very uncomfortable for him.

“I know the 999 team were doing the best they could and the paramedics were lovely and apologetic when they arrived, but someone further up the chain needs to look at this.

“It’s not acceptable. At one point we were so desperate I was Googling private ambulances.

“I don’t think anyone should have to wait over an hour.”

Martin, from Mirfield, West Yorkshire, has contacted Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust to complain. 

It said the call came during a “particularly busy period”.

But those on social media condemned the wait time.

“Three hours… This is disgusting,” one woman shared.

“Bloody disgusting,” another Facebook comment reads.

A third states: “How is it there is police ambulances out on the Friday, Saturday night outside clubs and pubs picking up drunk people and the people that need help don’t get it? I’m not blaming all the ambulance workers, they are only told what to do and they do their best.”    

A spokesman for Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: “We are very sorry to hear that the patient’s family has concerns about our response to this incident and our Patient Relations Team would be able to look into the specific details around this and liaise directly with the family.

“During the last few weeks the urgent and emergency care system has come under increasing pressure.

“We can confirm that this emergency call was received during a particularly busy period on Wednesday and we were doing our best to reach all patients who needed our assistance as quickly as possible.

“All calls are categorised according to the nature of the patient’s illness or injury and those in a life-threatening condition are always prioritised. For many patients our process often involves a call back from a clinician to assess their condition and check on any changes or deterioration.

“We wish this patient well in their recovery and would like to reassure members of the public that our priority is to provide a safe, responsive and high quality service to the people of Yorkshire.”

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