THE family of a 16-year-old girl have hit out after a the teen endured a four hour wait for an ambulance after the teen dislocated her shoulder.

Greig and Kim Allen told how daughter Amy was left screaming in agony before losing consciousness as they waited for a mercy crew to arrive.

The ambulance was called to the address in Seamore Street on Tuesday at around 6.20pm and after three frantic 999 calls finally arrived just after 10pm.

The family had to watch as an ambulance drove through Largs to attend 'a higher priority call'.

Dad Greig said: "Amy suffered a fall in her bedroom and she was screaming in excruciating pain.

"The shoulder socket had come right out of the joint.

"We realised how serious it was and phoned 999 right away. We were told to phone back if her condition deteriorated.

"The wait for an ambulance became an hour and 15 minutes passed and I phoned back.

"I pointed out that she was now slipping in and out of consciousness. She was screaming in agony, the whole thing was terrible."

Greig waited another hour and called back for a third time.

He said: "The handler agreed with me it was unacceptable but said that there was nothing that she could do.

"I was told that the ambulance had come down and passed Largs to go to another woman who was having heart problems, but it turned out she was completely fine.

"When the ambulance crew did arrive I couldn't fault them. Amy was taken up to Inverclyde Royal Hospital and was seen immediately.

"The nurse was terrific and the doctors were ready to deal with her quickly."

Amy received X-rays before being treated by medics.

Greig added: "She was exhausted but I can't praise the doctors and nurses at the hospital enough - they were fantastic amid utter pandemonium.

"Amy's arm is now in a sling and she is due to see another specialist in a few weeks time to see if there is any lasting damage."

The teenager's gran is well-known local businesswoman Nancy Allan, who runs Inspired in Nelson Street.

She also hit out at the extensive wait, added: "My granddaughter was in absolute agony. The crew were first class and gave her gas and air and a morphine injection, which allowed them to move her into the ambulance.

"However, there is something very wrong with the system when you have to wait that length of time."

Independent councillor Ian Murdoch said: "I believe the ambulance provision for the North Coast is inadequate. "I have been very concerned about the pressures on the service for quite some time. The staff are working hard under pressure to provide the general public with the best service possible but there isn't enough resources available.

"I am particularly concerned that an ambulance can be called upon to service areas so far from their base."

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said, “At the time of the call we were experiencing high demand, all our calls are prioritised to ensure the sickest, most seriously ill patients are given the highest priority. We will be contacting the patient’s family to apologise.”