"Hoping for the best."

It’s dangerous even thinking about an emergency ambulance. The crews are great but waiting so long even before getting to A and E is not realistic. We have to hope for the best more and more and accept inevitable danger. This is not fair or right for elderly and disabled patients who need to be seen urgently.

I had to decide last Saturday not to call an ambulance and manage my mother in her 90's as best I can. She would have been in greater peril waiting in A and E in a confused state even though I was scared of harming her by not calling.

These are impossible choices for carers. We do the best we can and yet always feel let down and not supported when things go badly wrong.

Being a carer rips you apart. Always you have to judge what will likely cause least harm. I wish the NHS could be more open and honest so we know when we have to muddle through best we can because the trauma of an A and E visit is just too great and the dangers of not doing something put us all in peril.

This is a no win situation all round and we need help. 

Thank you and best wishes,