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"Paramedics missed my mother's heart atack"

About: Scottish Ambulance Service

(as the patient),

I called 999 for my mother who was having chest pain.

The ambulance arrived and the paramedics sauntered in without any urgency. They listened to the story and were immediately dismissive that this was something serious.

They said that they weren't sure what was going on but that their tests were showing everything was ok. They kept saying there was no need to take her to A+E and that it would be better if my mother's GP came out to see here. I said that I was worried she was having a heart attack and they kept saying "no..no".

After significant pressure I agreed that I would call her GP and the paramedics left. My GP was excellent and attended quickly and after a quick examination agreed with me that this was likely a heart attack. He had to call back another ambulance and she was rushed into hospital.

The cardiologist confirmed it had been a large heart attack and that the paramedics should have just brought me straight to the hospital.

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Responses

Response from Sharon Hammell, Head of Corporate Affairs and Engagement, Scottish Ambulance Service 11 years ago
Sharon Hammell
Head of Corporate Affairs and Engagement,
Scottish Ambulance Service

I am responsible for the development and implementation of the Scottish Ambulance Service's communications strategy: this includes staff communications as well as external audiences, including PFPI and media management.

Submitted on 25/03/2013 at 11:00
Published on Care Opinion at 11:52


Dear AngryDundee

I hope your mother is recovering.

Thank you for bringing your mother's experience to our attention. I can imagine that this must have been a distressing experience for both you..

In light of what you have described, would you mind contacting me on 0131 314 000 or with our complaints team at the link below, so we can gather more information from you and look into this for you in more detail.

http://www.scottishambulance.com/TheService/complaint.aspx

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