Roy Tilbrook rang the Kununoppin Health Service after his wife Val woke in severe pain in her back on Monday, February 3.

Mr Tilbrook said he was told the hospital could not afford to send an ambulance out for his wife who, on a scale of one to 10 described her pain as a “20”.

“I have never felt pain like that my life,” she said.

Mrs Tilbrook said she was shocked when her husband told her an ambulance would not be coming.

“I have private health insurance and I am a member of St John Ambulance,” she said.

Mr Tilbrook said he was forced to drive his wife to the hospital, which was about a 30-minute drive away.

“When we got to the hospital the nurse apologised and said it should not have happened,” Mrs Tilbrook said. Mr Tilbrook said he was furious about the ambulance not being sent. “When they told me they couldn’t send one I wasn’t happy – what if it had been a serious problem and I had lost her?” he asked.

“I pay my fees every year so I am not happy.” WA Country Health Service Wheatbelt regional director Tim Free said when Mr Tilbrook called the hospital a nurse suggested treatment to relieve the pain.

“She provided advice to Mr Tilbrook that if the treatment did not relieve the pain he should ring 000 to request an ambulance,” he said.

“Had Mr Tilbrook called 000, as advised, an ambulance would have been dispatched from Mukinbudin.

“The health service apologises for any miscommunication that may have occurred.”

Mr and Mrs Tilbrook said they did not realise they could call 000 for an ambulance, believing they had to call the hospital for assistance.