A man in Montgomery spent over eight hours waiting for an ambulance after he suffered a severe stroke.

On May 15, Robert Brown’s family phoned for an ambulance at 11am after he fell over and began showing signs of a stroke.

Following NHS guidelines the family were told not to move him themselves and wait for an ambulance.

However, it would be another eight and a half hours before the ambulance arrived, leaving Mr Brown lying on the floor before he was finally taken away to hospital at 7.30pm.

Mr Brown’s brother, Frank, said: “My nephew phoned the emergency services at 11am as his father had fallen over and was displaying signs of having had a stroke.

“He was lying on the floor barely conscious and slurring his speech.

“I immediately rushed to my brother's house along with my partner to help and support.”

Frank and the rest of the family made regular calls to the ambulance service during the wait time to make enquiries on when it would arrive.

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He also stated: “After two hours still, no help had arrived, and we continually called to express our desperation towards a situation that was getting gravely worse.

“Other family members arrived at the house each taking it in turn to sit with my brother trying to keep him alert, and others looking out for the arrival of the ambulance, others continually phoning to find out what was going on.

“As the situation became more desperate, we asked if there was any alternative like a doctor call out or taking him into the hospital ourselves.

“We were told no doctors were available, that the ambulance would get there as soon as possible and that we were not to move him.”

NHS advice stresses the importance of a quick response time, emphasising that the sooner someone who is having a stroke receives medical attention, the better their chances of a good recovery.

Robert is now in an intensive care unit being monitored while doctors plan to treat a bleed on the brain.

Frank added: “The emotional distress of seeing him lying on the floor and being so helpless will remain with us all for a very long time.”

The Welsh Ambulance Service has been contacted for a response.