Family wins £500k after Scots dad died post fall. Widow cites training lacking in 999 response.
Lynda O’Neill doesn’t blame the 999 call handler, as she thinks the handler lacked proper training. Lynda hopes lessons are learned from this case, and that it will help other people. Losing Brian has been devastating for her.
The family raised the case in Edinburgh. The court heard Brian fell at Carbeth Hutters while drinking with friends at a hut, and he previously had a stroke and took anti-platelet drugs.
Dr. Leanne Rae was visiting the huts and tried to help Brian after his fall. She saw the wound was still bleeding, so Dr. Rae made a 999 call for assistance.
The call was categorized for further review, and Elaine Noden, a trainee paramedic, called back. However, no ambulance went to the hospital, and Brian was found dead the next morning. Attempts to revive him failed.
The judge said Ms. Noden missed several duties. She did not fully assess Mr. O’Neill, nor did she tell Dr. Rae about red flags, and she also failed to send an ambulance. Alternative hospital transport wasn’t arranged.
Ms. Noden hadn’t trained to triage patients, especially with a doctor present, she admitted. A consultant stated basic repairs could have saved him at a hospital as he would not have lost so much blood.
The ambulance service tried to blame Dr. Rae, claiming she took responsibility for Brian. The judge commended Dr. Rae for her efforts to help him that evening.
Lynda called Brian a loving, kind man, and his death was a huge loss to family and friends. His eldest child, Kirsty, called Brian deeply adored, and his death was devastating for the family.
The ambulance service sends their condolences and are very sorry for the loss to the family. They will carefully consider the judgement and assess the implications for their service.