This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?

"Ambulance response to a distressed patient"

About: Scottish Ambulance Service / Emergency Ambulance

(as a staff member posting for a patient/service user),

Sixty five year old man in Forfar whose 27 year old son had recently died and whose dog had died too. Emotionally bereft and living alone - decanted into a temporary address due to council work in his flat. Known health problems and poor nutrition. During acute illness with breathing difficulty he called for ambulance (The first time he had ever called for help). A member of ambulance crew found him lying on the floor and shook him roughly, repeatedly asking if he had been drinking. This patient doesn't drink and uses some non-conventional treatments. Unsympathetic flash judgements and rough handling by ambulance crew left a vulnerable patient traumatised to the extent he will be hesitant to call for help again.

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Martin Esposito, Consultant Paramedic - Major Trauma, Clinical Directorate, Scottish Ambulance Service 9 years ago
Martin Esposito
Consultant Paramedic - Major Trauma, Clinical Directorate,
Scottish Ambulance Service
Submitted on 04/03/2015 at 15:26
Published on Care Opinion at 16:25


picture of Martin Esposito

Dear Lindesfarne

I was really saddened to read this story but glad you have shared it with us. This is clearly not how we would expect our ambulance crews to act and the thought that someone might not call an ambulance when they need to is really worrying. Please can you pass on my apologies to the patient. I would really like the opportunity to find out more about this if possible? If you or the patient would like to contact me my details are martinesposito@nhs.net or 0131 314 0003.

Take care

Martin.

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k