A doctor’s surgery has promised to make changes to the way it operates after staff failed to help an elderly woman who fell over outside the practice.

The 90-year-old cut her head after falling outside the Knebworth and Marymead Medical Practice in Spring Drive, Stevenage, at about 4.30pm on Thursday.

Bystander Jane Batchelor was taking her daughter to the surgery for a doctor’s appointment when she saw the woman on the ground and called an ambulance.

The 31-year-old, who lives in Knebworth, then went inside the building and asked the receptionist to see if any doctors could help.

She said: “She was incredibly rude to me but eventually went to ask one of the doctors if he could help. He refused and said he couldn’t because he wasn’t first aid trained.

“He’s a doctor who has spent years at university learning about medicine, how can he not be first aid trained?

“I then asked for blankets to keep her warm while the ambulance came but they said no. I couldn’t believe it, it’s human decency to help an old lady.”

“All this meant that I was late for my appointment which they pointed out to me when I went inside and I had to wait for an additional 20 minutes before I was seen.”

A rapid response car arrived within five minutes before an ambulance turned up half an hour later. The woman was subsequently taken to Lister Hospital in Stevenage, where she remains.

A spokesman for the surgery said: “We are very sorry to hear about the incident which took place on Thursday, September 18. We are currently reviewing our procedures and will implement changes to ensure that this does not happen again in the future.”