A paramedic has been left frustrated after a casino in Great Yarmouth declined his request to use the toilet.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Two ambulance crew members went above and beyond to help an elderly patient who feared he would never see his wife again. Picture: Archant Library.Two ambulance crew members went above and beyond to help an elderly patient who feared he would never see his wife again. Picture: Archant Library.

The paramedic, who wishes to remain anonymous, had just finished a job in a nearby flat at around midnight when he needed to use the toilet.

The public toilets in The Conge are closed at that time of night, so the paramedic asked staff on the door of the Palace Casino if he could use theirs. However, he was refused access because he was not a member.

The paramedic said his ambulance was parked outside and he was dressed in full uniform, complete with ID badges, but still no entry was permitted.

Patrick Duffy, managing director of the Palace Casino, said security at the casino had been heightened after somebody recently requested access to the casino and CCTV footage while dressed as a Royal Mail delivery person.

Mr Duffy added: “I am sorry this happened but these are tightly regulated times and this happened as a result of our total compliance to the Gambling Commission LCCP (Licensing Conditions and codes of Conduct).”

Mr Duffy said his staff had recently been trained on conditions and codes of conduct and made the correct decision by denying the paramedic toilet access.

He said: “We are a members only Casino Club with a licence from the UK Gambling Commission. This licence comes with some onerous conditions regarding anyone entering and using the club for any purpose.

“It is and was an unusual event and of course the police station over the road probably would have been a good alternative but at such a late hour, in view of recent security events and the Gambling Commission reviewing licences and issuing fines on some major companies for non-compliance, the staff acted correctly.

“We have an impeccable record for compliance and act properly at all times if we can. Of course none of this applies in the case of an emergency.

“Even if any person wants to use the facilities in any circumstances then it is always best to be a member.”