THE family of a Ferndown pensioner who is fighting for his life after he suffered a stroke over the weekend have branded his three-hour wait for paramedics “shameful”.

Andy Beesley was alerted to his father Stan’s ill health when his lifeline personal alarm was set off at around 2.45am on Saturday morning.

He rushed from his home in Lilliput only to find the 85-year-old slumped on the toilet, unable to stand and complaining of head pain.

Andy, 55, immediately called 999 requesting an ambulance to Stan’s home at Ryan Close, before calling his brother Tim from Ringwood.

But paramedics didn’t arrive until 6.19am and four phone calls later during which Andy and Tim became increasingly concerned for their father.

They even had to insist that call-handlers prioritise their calls knowing the first few hours for any stroke victim is vital to their potential recovery, Andy said.

Stan is currently receiving potentially life-saving treatment at Royal Bournemouth Hospital for a severe brain haemorrhage.

Andy’s wife, Michele, 59, said: “It took far too long for them to re-prioritise [Stan] and, even once that was done and it was categorised as life-threatening, it took another 40 minutes for the blue lights. It’s just shameful.

“There have been too many cuts in public services and it’s now dangerous.”

“This is appalling,” Andy said, adding that the wait his father encountered could be the difference between life and death, and blames the call-handlers for the delay.

A spokeswoman for the South Western Ambulance Service confirmed an investigation is currently underway and they are in ongoing discussions with the family while Mr Beesley receives treatment.

“South Western Ambulance Service (SWASFT) was called at 03:25 on February 20 to reports of an elderly male who was unwell,” she said. “SWASFT would like to apologise for the delay in the ambulance arriving.

“On this occasion the patient did not receive the timely response he should be able to expect from the service. This delay was due to exceptionally high levels of demand in the area.”

She added: “The trust is in contact with the patient’s family and will keep them informed throughout the investigation that is currently underway.”