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HealthMan dies of aortic dissection after ambulance delayed 3.5 hours in Scotland
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Brian Hurton, a resident of East Kilbride, Scotland, died alone on his bathroom floor after calling emergency services twice for severe breathing problems. Dispatchers told him both times that no ambulance would be sent immediately due to high demand, promising a clinician callback instead. A clinician attempted to reach him an hour later, but he did not answer. An ambulance was dispatched nearly three and a half hours after his first call. Paramedics found him dead from an aortic dissection. An internal review concluded his first call should have received higher priority and faster response given his symptoms. A spokesperson expressed condolences and stated the service is working to learn from the incident.
Source report
Brian Hurton died alone in East Kilbride, Scotland, after calling 999 twice with severe breathing problems. Dispatchers told him on both occasions that no ambulance would be sent immediately due to high demand, and that a clinician would call him back instead.
- A clinician attempted to reach him one hour later, but he did not answer.
- An ambulance was not dispatched until nearly three and a half hours after his first call.
- Paramedics found him dead on his bathroom floor.
The cause of death was an aortic dissection. A subsequent review determined that his first call should have received higher priority and faster assistance based on his symptoms.
A spokesperson offered condolences to the family and stated that authorities are working to learn from the incident.
Source
Reason.comWestern
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Man Dies After Ambulance Delayed in Scotland