MONMOUTH MP David Davies is demanding an urgent meeting with the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust to discuss failings which may have contributed to the death of a Monmouth woman.
Jacqueline Davies, aged 49, waited 42 minutes for a paramedic after collapsing at home in January this year. She died nine days later at Llantrisant’s Royal Glamorgan Hospital from hypoxic brain damage and probable pneumonia.
An inquest heard how bad weather, problems handing patients over at accident and emergency departments and a high call volume meant there were no ambulances free to attend to Ms Davies. The inquest also revealed a shift at Monmouth Ambulance Station was not covered and when a paramedic did arrive, the Rapid Response Vehicle failed to start because its battery had not been charged.
Mr Davies described Ms Davies’ case as “deeply shocking” and said he wanted answers from the ambulance service for its “significant failings”.
“I am gravely concerned by what emerged at the inquest and the coroner’s findings,” he said.
“The facts cannot be dismissed and I am appalled by the systematic failure of the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust to provide an appropriate and timely response. Indeed, I believe Jackie’s death could have been prevented had the emergency medical services arrived sooner.
“There has been a lack of confidence for years as to the ability of the ambulance service to answer 999 calls in an appropriate and timely manner and clearly this fear will have heightened following such a deeply shocking case. With all the promises that things are going to get better, Monmouthshire is still left with the worst response times in Wales and some of the worst in the UK.
“I don’t in any way blame the paramedics. I have been out on shift with an ambulance crew and seen at first hand the marvellous work they do. However, there are clearly organisational problems at the heart of the ambulance service and I have asked the Chief Executive for an urgent meeting to discuss the matter further. I am particularly keen to ensure lessons are learnt and improvements made to prevent another family from suffering such a tragic loss”.