"Ambulance service was beyond excellent after a long wait"

After identifying a poorly mum whose health was deteriorating the previous day and that night, called for a doctors house visit. Doctor arrived as planned around midday and assessed her condition as dehydrated, low oxygen level, low blood pressure and chair bound (loss of power to legs) and swollen and painful ankles. The GP was excellent during this visit and called to request a 2 hour ambulance service. I wanted to transport mother myself but because of total immobility situation I couldn't. Mother was in her chair for five and a half hours before the ambulance arrived. She was tired, unable to get to toilet and generally run down during this 4 hour wait (I was heading in the same direction).

I received what I felt were 2 pointless calls as they gave no indication of hope but insisted they needed to call as they had a duty of care. Care cannot be given over the phone. I was asked how she was. How did I know? And what would have happened if I hadn't been there to take the call? "How was she? " I replied - "breathing" as that was about all I could describe apart from the fact she looked exhausted from sitting for hours. I was advised that I could call 999 if her condition deteriorated.

I couldn't assess that this was an emergency so waited and waited and waited. How did I feel - let down and 'fed a line'. I felt I was being provided with a false service - 2 hours? And I thought the 2 calls were pointless - I do not see that as care. A duty maybe, but not care. On ambulance arrival, service provided was beyond excellent.