A DISABLED pensioner claims he was forced to tend to his own injuries after trying in vain to call an emergency doctor for several hours.

Seventy-five year old Tom Bell, of Park Grove, Yeadon, had to use his own sparse first aid

knowledge to dress a deep cut after suffering an accident in his own home last Thursday.

When his wife called Silver Lane Surgery at 3pm, no-one answered the call, although an answerphone message gave out an alternative number for

emergency doctors.

But when she tried to call a doctor, she was told there were none available, and no-one could send for an ambulance.

A helpful neighbour also called a surgery in Guiseley, but was also told there were no doctors available.

Mr Bell eventually called the NHS Direct 24-hour helpline, and was able to speak directly to a doctor, who advised him to go to a minor injuries unit at either the Wharfedale Hospital, Otley, or

Wakefield.

He said: "They couldn't arrange transport, and told me to get a taxi. I don't have a car. My wife's

disabled and so am I. It's a very serious situation. This could have been a much worse injury."

After his finger bled for two hours, Mr Bell eventually had to rely on his own first aid skills.

"I've got a little bit of knowledge of first aid because they taught us first aid in the Navy during the war. I managed to dress the cut, but I really wanted to know if there was any infection, and if I needed a tetanus," he said.

Now he is concerned that no-one knew about the lack of doctors that day, and fears someone with a serious condition or injury may be left without

any medical help if there is a repeat of the

situation.

A spokeswoman for the surgery said none of its GPs were working that day, but said the Leeds Medical Council had made alternative emergency arrangements. She said the surgery's answerphone was giving out the telephone number supplied for

emergencies.

A spokesman for Leeds Health Authority said the GPs were out on an intensive 'Target' training

afternoon, which has been run without any problem in the area for several months.

He said patients were informed about the afternoon via advertisements, but alternative emergency cover arrangements were made.

However, he said emergency doctors were

available throughout the day, and NHS direct staff would rigorously question anyone seeking advice, before decided what advice to give.

He said: "We are obviously sorry that anybody feels they have been inconvenienced. The aim is to provide better patient care, not inconvenience patients.

"This is the first time we have come across any glitch in the system"

He recommended anyone who had a complaint about emergency doctor coverage should contact their own GP in the first instance.