On Wednesday, just after 12pm, my wife, who is elderly and disabled, had a heavy fall in Agincourt Square, near the Rolls Monument. She injured her head and shoulder and was unable to get up or move. We consider that the state of the pavement contributed to her fall.

We would like to express our thanks to those who came to our assistance. There were two teenage girls who apparently had had some First Aid training; (one even expressed a desire to become a Paramedic). They did what they could and made a 999 call for an Ambulance. There was a lady, who said she worked in a Veterinary Practice, she stayed with us quite a while and gave comfort and support. Staff from the Shire Hall provided cushions and a chair for me. Punch House Staff came with bottled water and the use of one of their sun umbrellas.  We thank them all.

After about 15 minutes from the 999 call a ‘First Response’ Paramedic arrived. He was excellent and although unable to move my wife stayed with us, monitored my wife and gave pain relief. On two or more occasions he contacted ambulance control to enquire about the non-attendance of an ambulance. He was told that there was not an available ambulance in the whole of Monmouthshire, that the Hereford Ambulance Service had been approached for help but were unable to assist.

He stayed with us checking my wife’s condition, giving pain relief and trying to make her more comfortable on the pavement.

Eventually a non-staffed ambulance was found in Abergavenny and sent out with two drivers and not the usual ambulance technicians.

The Paramedic was to accompany us to hospital and the second driver take over the paramedic’s car. That is how it worked out and we arrived at Nevill Hall Accident and Emergency Department at 4.05pm. Our special thanks to the paramedic.

George Charnock (Wyesham)