A FAMILY have spoken of their ‘disgust’ after waiting nearly 40 minutes for an ambulance after a baby had a seizure.

Michelle Davies, 48, of St Julians area, was at her daughter’s property in Bettws on Thursday, November 17, when 15-month-old Covi fell ill.

After calling an ambulance, family watched on in horror as Covi had a seizure with his jaws locked closed before suddenly becoming still.

As a first aid-trained neighbour performed CPR on the baby, family rang ambulance control but were given no indication of when the crew would arrive. After waiting over half an hour, family and neighbours rushed the child to the Royal Gwent Hospital where he received treatment.

Covi has since recovered from the fit, caused by “sudden change in temperature from an ear and throat infection,” Mrs Davies said.

Mum Samantha Davies, 19, of Monnow Way, added: “I thought I was going to lose him because he stopped breathing and his lips were purple.

“I’m absolutely disgusted. I was in too much of a state to take him and he was lifeless on the floor for over half an hour. I didn’t know what to do.”

“I know it isn’t the ambulance’s fault but they need more staff. If a baby is not breathing that is an emergency,” she added.

“People need to know about it because it could happen again.”

Welsh Ambulance Service (WAS) confirm they received the call at 7pm on November 17 and responded within 37 minutes.

WAS head of operations for the Aneurin Bevan Health Board area, Darryl Collins, apologised to Mrs Davies and her family for “what must have been an anxious wait”.

“Unfortunately at the time of the call, which we assessed was serious but not immediately life-threatening, all of our crews and available ambulances were committed to other patients either within the community or at emergency departments,” he said.

“When one of our paramedics arrived at the scene family members had already taken Covi to hospital.

“We would encourage Covi’s parents to contact us so that we can go through the details directly with them, but in the meantime we hope he is making a good recovery.”

Mrs Davies, added: “When we got to the hospital there were two ambulances there outside and I feel so annoyed about it. I don’t even think there is any point phoning an ambulance now. That’s how I feel.”

The ambulance service has since contacted the family directly regarding the incident.