HEALTH chiefs have apologised after a woman in her 40s who had suffered a stroke was turned away from Tywyn Hospital and her partner told to dial 999 for an ambulance instead.

The stroke left Bronagh Chapman, 47, paralysed down her left side with no mobility in her arm or leg, and with one side of her face drooping.

Her partner, Barry Shellis, rushed Bronagh to the nearest medical facility – Tywyn Hospital – half a mile from their home on Sunday, but says nurses refused to treat her or even allow her in the building.

Mr Shellis of Tywyn says he was simply told by the medical professionals to “call 999 or go to Dolgellau”.

Choosing to drive to Dolgellau Minor Injuries Unit because it was closer than Bronglais General Hospital, Barry was horrified to find that his girlfriend’s condition was worsening as he drove north and, by the time he reached the Meirionnydd medical centre, Bronagh had passed out in the car.

As they arrived in Dolgellau, a nurse saw Bronagh’s condition and immediately rang for an emergency ambulance.

The woman is recovering in Bronglais Hospital, but has not yet regained mobility on her left side.

Barry hit out at what he described as the “disgusting service” his partner received at Tywyn hospital.

“They are trained medical professionals and they did nothing to help,” Barry told the Cambrian News.

“They didn’t even open the doors, they just left us in the car park. Had Bronagh been treated sooner the effects might not have been so severe.”

A spokesperson for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said: “We would like to apologise to the patient for any distress caused when she attended Tywyn Hospital recently.

See the full story in this week’s Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News