Woman told to ring 111 number after 999 operator said her husband's aneurysm wasn't an emergency

A woman dialled 999 when her husband suffered a near fatal aneurysm. However she was forced to call 111 when the operator told her it wasn't an emergency.

Christine Gayther, 69 phoned 999 when her husband Terry, 75 was hit by a sudden abdominal aoritic aneurysm.

She was left in a stricken panic when an operator told her to phone 111 as her husband's medical emergency didn't require him to be taken into an ambulance.

The 111 operator asked the slightly "unmedical" question 'Have you got a dog' along with more scripted questions. At this point Christine hung up and phoned 999 again to demand emergency help.

45 minutes after the first initial call, an ambulance arrived at their home in Bromley Cross, near Bolton, Greater Manchester.

Mr Gayther a retired engineer was rushed to Royal Bolton Hospital where he was kept for 10 days. He was admitted to intensive care as the aneurysm could have caused damage to his kidney.

Mrs Gayther said, "The paramedics arrived at 10.20am and they did a brilliant job. They knew the severity of Terry's condition. I'm just thankful they arrived when they did as it was possible Terry would not survive."

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