London, June 22 : Elderly patients at a hospital in Britain were told to shake a ­tambourine to alert the staff in an ­emergency as there was no proper alarm system.

The managers of the Cardiff Royal Infirmary hospital Tuesday apologised and said they were replacing it with a "lightweight hand-bell".

Over 30 ­elderly and frail patients used the tambourine left in the hospital's West Wing room, where the patients relax and watch television, the express. co. uk reported Wednesday.

A man who was visiting his 90-year-old mother, said: "I thought she was joking about the tambourine but there it was. I gave it a good hard shaking - and after 16 minutes I gave up as no one responded.

"Not surprisingly few patients use the day room or watch the new television because there is too much of a risk of being left there."

"It is ridiculous. These people are pensioners not members of The Monkees or Mick Jagger. It makes the NHS (National Health Service) look like a laughing stock," the report quoted another visitor as saying.

He said he was told there was no money for a more effective call system.

Victoria Lloyd, of the charity Age Cymru, said: "Expecting patients to use a tambourine to attract attention is inappropriate, patronising and denies them dignity."

Ruth Marks, the Older People's Commissioner for Wales, said: "The day room gives an opportunity for patients to relax and socialise away from their beds. Installing a system so people can easily call for help must be a priority."(IANS)