A 10-YEAR-OLD boy waited nearly two hours for an ambulance after he fell and broke his arm in two places.

His father complained to Great Western Ambulance Service in November, just days after the incident happened, but was appalled to find that over two months later they have not replied.

Andrew Maddison, from Cam, was told his son John had broken his arm at school and left work in Tewkesbury to get to St Joseph's Primary in Nympsfield.

He was told by staff that an ambulance had been called and was shocked to see John still at the school when he arrived over half an hour later.

"As I walked in the reception door I was greeted by the sight of my son lying on the floor with his arm - clearly broken and sticking out at a 45 degree angle - resting on a chair," said Mr Maddison.

"He was, as you can probably imagine, in a great deal of distress and discomfort.

"He kept asking again and again; when will the ambulance arrive?"

The school rang the ambulance several times and was told it had not been dispatched.

An hour and a half after the first call was made a paramedic turned up in a car and was able to administer pain relief, but could not take John to hospital.

"The paramedic who arrived was incredibly professional with a calm and reassuring manner and immediately called to find out where his support was," said Mr Maddison.

"I heard his conversation and he requested that the ambulance be hotted up'."

Fifteen minutes later the ambulance arrived - which was over an hour and three-quarters after the first 999 call was made by the school.

Mr Maddison said: "I am appalled they have taken so long to reply. The NHS has managed to fix my son's broken arm quicker than it takes Great Western Ambulance to respond to my letter."

Acting head teacher of St Josephs Primary School, said: "The school was extremely concerned for the welfare of the child and was surprised the ambulance took so long to arrive given that a child was involved."

A spokesman for Great Western Ambulance Service said: "We apologise to John and to his parents for the delay in reaching him. We can confirm we have received a complaint from the family and have investigated it fully."

After the Gazette contacted GWAS, the trust said the letter would be sent that day.

The spokesman added: "We cannot comment on the incident itself as this will be explained to the complainant in the letter being sent out."