Tony Dunk, of Baffin Close, rang an ambulance after suffering a serious
angina attack at about 11.30pm on Saturday.

After being collected, paramedics took him straight to Rugby's Hospital of St. Cross.

They wheeled him out for treatment - but were left 'amazed' when doctors told them to go to Coventry instead.

Recent changes mean some seriously ill Rugby patients now go to Coventry's University Hospital for treatment - but terminally ill Mr. Dunk's paramedics were unaware of the changes.

The 53-year-old said: "If you are ill, these delays may mean the difference between life and death.

"I think it's disgusting and terrible for people like myself."

Under proposals introduced earlier this year in a review of Warwickshire's health services, patients suffering 'acute' conditions such as heart attacks and strokes are taken to Coventry - and access to better facilities - during 'off-peak' times through the week and at weekends.

The new changes do not affect Accident and Emergency services at St. Cross, which operate 24/7.

Mr. Dunk, who also has chronic asthma, heart and lung disorders and needs regular oxygen treatment, called a doctor after suffering chest pains.

Despite being taken to an 'empty' St. Cross, Mr. Dunk said doctors told paramedics to go to Coventry instead.

He said: "I said to the paramedics, 'if it had been a heart attack, would it be the same treatment'? They did not know. It's a terrible situation if ambulance crew don't know where to go."

A 'concerned' West Midlands Ambulance service spokesperson said: "An internal investigation has been launched which will find out exactly what happened and what lessons can be learnt from it.

"The trust would be pleased to meet with the patient concerned, at a time convenient to him, to discuss it further."