Praise for ‘amazing’ Horsham restaurant staff

June Harvey was enjoying a family gathering at Bill’s Restaurant in Market Square when her mum Rosemary Allen, 77, also from Horsham, suffered a stroke and seizures on Tuesday August 19.

While they waited for an ambulance June described staff’s actions in looking after them and her mum as ‘fantastic’.

Rosemary is now recovering at home after spending three days at Worthing Hospital’s stroke unit.

June said: “I could not fault them one bit they were so amazing and I think they need recognition.”

She visited Bill’s last Friday August 29 to thank in person some of the staff who were on duty the week before.

June added: “I just think they have gone above and beyond what they had to do.”

She singled out Faye Lane in particular, assistant general manager at Bill’s Tunbridge Wells branch, who was working in Horsham on that day, and lay next to Rosemary while she waited for an ambulance.

The team at Bill’s also sent Rosemary a bouquet of flowers as she recovers at home.

Inbal Munz, assistant manager at Bill’s Horsham, said: “All management staff at Bill’s are first aid trained. It is very important to us as a company to be able to help anyone who is at risk or unwell.

“To stay calm and focused is one of the key features we teach our floor staff and hence the whole Bill’s team is very proud of all the staff working that particular day. We wish June and her family all the best.”

However, June said she had been concerned about the length of time it took an ambulance to reach the Old Town Hall as the crew attempted to access Market Square from East Street, which is pedestrianised and closed to traffic during the day. June said: “Those bollards, if she was having a heart attack they would not have got there in time and she would have died.”

The family are hoping to return to Bill’s later this month when Rosemary has recovered.

A spokesperson for South East Coast Ambulance Service said: “We are sorry that it took us longer than we would like to attend this call and would also like to thank the restaurant staff for the help they provided the patient prior to our arrival.

“We understand that the ambulance crews experienced some difficulties getting in to the town centre.

“This has been brought to the attention of our control centre to ensure all crews are aware of the most appropriate route.

“An ambulance paramedic was on scene in approximately 17 minutes after the call was made and the ambulance crew approximately 25 minutes after we were called.

“Our thoughts and best wishes go out to the patient and her family and we wish her a good recovery.”