HEALTH chiefs have apologised after a mother was left waiting more than 30 minutes for an ambulance for her injured two-year-old son.

Little Ethan Masters was playing on a trampoline in his back garden on Thursday when he fell off and split his head open.

His mum Nikki Haslam, of Legendre Street, Tonge Moor, phoned 999 at 6.45pm — as she had no transport.

But after half an hour, an ambulance still had not arrived.

It was then that Ethan’s father David Masters arrived at the home and was able to drive him to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Miss Haslam, aged 25, said: “At the time, I was really annoyed. It’s bad how long they took to come out. When I rang for an ambulance, they said they’d send one out ASAP.

“I’m just glad Ethan’s dad turned up when he did, otherwise it could have been a lot worse.

“I would never want something like this to happen to someone else. Children look up to paramedics and I don’t want them to think badly of the ambulance service.”

Ethan had his cut treated at hospital and has made a steady recovery.

A spokesperson for North West Ambulance said: “We understand that waiting for an ambulance can be distressing and we are sorry for any upset caused to the patient and his family.

“When received, all 999 calls are given a priority rating, based on the information given by the caller, to make sure patients receive the most appropriate response for their needs and those with immediately life-threatening conditions are responded to first.

“We received a call at 6.49pm concerning a male who had fallen off a trampoline and cut his head.

"This call was categorised as not immediately life threatening. We then received a further call at 7.19pm, saying we were no longer needed.

“We urge patients and their families to contact us directly to discuss any concerns they may have.”