Ambulance service says sorry as woman, 90, left to freeze after ice slip
HUMAN error was probably to blame for a 90-year-old’s 43-minute wait for an ambulance after slipping on the ice.
The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) have apologised to the woman who waited on the freezing ground after slipping out of a taxi on Cockton Hill Road on Tuesday, December 29.
It has also promised an investigation.
The woman was looked after by the taxi driver and an off-duty police officer before a paramedic arrived in a rapid response car six minutes after the first call was made at 1.16pm.
He then called for an ambulance to take her to Darlington memorial Hospital but that didn’t arrive until 1.59pm.
Upon arrival at hospital, the woman, who was said to be conscious throughout and not seriously hurt, had an operation and was recovering.
An NEAS spokesperson said the paramedic had stayed with the lady throughout her wait while an ambulance was dispatched form Darlington.
The spokesperson said: “We have since found that this vehicle was not the closest available resource. In view of this we have initiated an investigation to identify the reasons why the closest available vehicle was not dispatched. However at this time we believe this to be a human error.
“We would like to take this opportunity to apologise to the patient for her wait to be transported to hospital.”
Paul Liversidge, director of ambulance operations stated that NEAS are constantly striving to provide a safe and effective service for the public of the North East.
He said: “Christmas periods are always a busy time for the North East Ambulance Service and this year is no exception. NEAS attended more than 1,200 incidents on Tuesday, December 29, the busiest day this year.
“However this is no excuse and we will strive to ensure this error is not repeated and that patient care remains our top priority.”