An ambulance took more than seven hours to arrive

The Welsh Ambulance NHS Trust has suspended one member of staff and launched a full inquiry after Nellie Males died just minutes before the ambulance reached her Cardiff home.

Miss Males, from the Llanrumney area of the city, was diagnosed with pneumonia by a GP last Friday lunchtime.

The doctor told her to expect a two-hour wait before an ambulance arrived at her old people's bungalow.

It shouldn't have happened and it won't happen again Don Page, Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust

But seven hours later the former hospital cleaner suffered a fatal heart attack - just five minutes before the ambulance reached her home at 2000 GMT.

Don Page, Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, said: "There's no doubt in my mind that seven hours is a total nonsense.

"It shouldn't have happened and it won't happen again.

"A process (has been) commenced and a member of staff suspended.

"This is something that should not have happened - there has to be an explanation.

"I've asked for (the investigation) to be completed as soon as possible."

I expected her to be alive for the next 10 years Jackie Newman

But Miss Males' friend, Jackie Newman, who was with the pensioner when the original call was made, said: "The NHS let her down.

"The (ambulance service's) explanation was that they were incredibly busy.

'Strong'

"The irony is that my car was parked outside the bungalow the whole time."

Mrs Newman told BBC Radio Wales that Miss Males had problems with her eyesight and mobility, but that she was in good health.

Mrs Newman said: "She was a very strong old lady who never had any problems with any ill-health.

"I expected her to be alive for the next 10 years.

"Nellie died five minutes before the ambulance arrived."