A DORSET man has told of his recent experience attempting to receive care from the NHS, describing it as ‘shocking’ and like being in a ‘war zone’.

Brian McGarry, 61, was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with multiple pulmonary embol, a serious lung condition, in November.

On December 11, Mr McGarry, who served in the Royal Navy, the Marines and the police, became unwell again, complaining of breathlessness and central chest pain.

After calling the non-emergency number 111, he was told to call back later as the system was ‘overwhelmed’.

Given his recent admission to hospital, Mr McGarry’s wife then dialled 999 but was told there was a long queue of callers and placed on hold.

“My circumstances were given to the operator who said that I was a priority call. However, it would be several hours before an ambulance would be available,” Mr McGarry said.

After failing to get an emergency vehicle, the pair, who live in North Dorset, cancelled the call and made their own way to their nearest A&E – at Salisbury Hospital.

“By now the time was around 6pm on a Sunday evening. On entering the A&E department the scene was chaotic, it was like a war zone,” Mr McGarry added.

“There were people sitting on the floor, and the waiting area was packed.

“On talking to the receptionist, she informed me that it would be at least three hours before I was even triaged. I took one look at the scene and decided I would be better off at home.”

Mr McGarry added: “Fortunately, I had a pre-booked appointment with my own GP early the next morning so I knew I just had to get through the night.”

He has since written a letter to his local North Dorset MP, Simon Hoare, and health secretary Steve Barclay, about his recent experiences.

He added that he ‘fully appreciates’ the pressures the health service is under, exacerbated by the recent nurse strikes in Dorset.

“I am sure my experience is not unique – we are supposed to be a developed country. However, the emergency service and NHS is broken,” he added.

“It is difficult to put into words how frustrated I am with the system. It is shocking.

“It has now been 12 years of a Conservative Government and this has not happened overnight.

“I have given all my working life to the service of my country and am proud to have done so.

“Now at the age of 61, I need some support from the country to which I have dedicated my working life.”

A Department for Health and Social Care spokesman said: “We have prioritised health and social care in the autumn statement with up to £14.1 billion over the next two years, and have announced a new taskforce to turbo-charge our current plans to bust the backlog caused by the pandemic and help patients get the treatment they need.

“We are supporting the NHS through winter by creating the equivalent of at least 7,000 more beds, working with the most challenged trusts to reduce ambulance handover delays, and investing £500 million to speed up the safe discharge of people who no longer need to be in hospital.”

The NHS was contacted for comment.