BASILDON, U.K. — A man who had to perform CPR on his wife with the help of his daughter is questioning the National Health Service's (NHS) practice of sending paramedics alone to calls.

When Alfred Pearce's wife, Beryl, collapsed after returning from a party, he called 999 but was shocked to see just one paramedic arrive, according to the Daily Mail.

The paramedic claimed she could not manage on her own and requested that Alfred and his daughter Tracey perform CPR on Beryl while the paramedic unpacked emergency equipment.

"I want things to change so another family doesn't have to go through this," Alfred told the Daily Mail. "The paramedics were all very nice, but my daughter and I were so upset and stressed by what happened.

"We should not have had to do that. They should have had enough staff to take over. When you call 999 that is what you expect."

A spokesperson for East of England Ambulance Service stated that it was normal practice for highly-skilled responders to be sent to scenes alone if they were closest to the event, ensuring faster care. They are to provide life support techniques like CPR while another crew comes for hospital transport and support.

"There may however be times when it is in the patient's best interests for a paramedic to utilize those on scene to help with basic life support under their instruction while, for example, they are unpacking equipment or calling for assistance," the spokesperson said. "Although this reason may not have been communicated to Mr. Pearce."

No one was available to explain why the paramedic was unable to give CPR on her own.

"I've no qualms with the NHS as Beryl has been brought back from the dead twice by amazing work from doctors and nurses," Alfred said. "It's just upsetting to know my last memories of my wife are so traumatic."