A MOTHER-TO-BE was taken across the country by ambulance because of a false alarm - and then told she would have to find her own way home.

Gemma Evans, 22, of Whitby, North Yorkshire, was taken to Scarborough General Hospital by ambulance along with her partner Kevin Wilson, 19.

Twenty-eight weeks' pregnant with twins, she was told her waters had broken and that she needed to go to a specialist unit that could deal with premature twins. Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Hull had no space and the nearest available unit was at Liverpool Women's Hospital.

"It was a two-and-a-half hour journey in another ambulance which was very scary because I thought the babies might come at any time," said Ms Evans.

"When we got there I was examined and was told I was not in labour and that my waters had not broken."

She added: "In the morning I was told that I was being discharged so I asked them 'how do I get home?' I was told I had to find my own way."

Mr Wilson said: "We had no money, no car, nothing. We couldn't afford a train or a taxi and there was no one who could come to pick us up."

Finally, Ms Evans was forced to spend an extra night in the hospital while Mr Wilson slept on a chair in her room.

An ambulance was eventually found to take them home - nearly two days after the ordeal.

Neither hospital would comment on the diagnosis given to Miss Evans due to patient confidentiality. But a Scarborough hospital spokesman said that the onus would have been on the Liverpool Women's Hospital to provide transport for the couple.

"We would advise that anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation to make use of the Patient Advice and Liaison Service which are based in all hospitals to help patients," said the spokesman