Ambulance chief’s spouse died as trainee despatched to emergency
The spouse of a Scottish Ambulance Service boss has died after a pupil was despatched as the primary responder throughout a 999 emergency.
SAS chairman Tom Steele’s spouse Gillian collapsed in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, and an ambulance was referred to as for.
But she died of a suspected cardiac arrest after a pupil technician was despatched to the call-out.
The pupil had been a part of a crew with a professional paramedic earlier that day, however after they left for a gathering, the trainee was left alone as the primary responder.
A back-up crew was despatched to help however Mrs Steele, 69, from Lanark, died.
The pupil is reported to be a VQ4 technician pupil, which implies they will carry out the duties of a professional technician whereas on work placements, however solely below supervision of one other technician or paramedic.
Gillian Steele collapsed and died of a suspected cardiac arrest after a pupil technician was despatched to the call-out
The pupil had been a part of a crew with a professional paramedic earlier that day, however after they left for a gathering, the trainee was left alone as the primary responder (Stock Image)
Ambulance technicians can diagnose and deal with a variety of diseases and accidents and work alongside paramedics.
Speaking in regards to the incident, which occurred on February 7, an ambulance insider advised the Daily Record: ‘The girl wanted a totally certified paramedic however she did not get one.
‘The solely useful resource accessible was a pupil. We can’t perceive why the management room despatched a VQ4 pupil on a paramedic 999 name to somebody who had collapsed.
‘Tom Steele is the chairman of SAS and the girl was his spouse. There is a big investigation happening into this.’
Politicians final evening demanded solutions over pupil paramedics getting used as first responders to 999 emergencies.
Scottish Labour well being spokesman Jackie Baillie stated: ‘I want to supply my honest condolences to Mr Steele for the premature lack of his spouse.
‘It simply exhibits that staffing issues and delays within the ambulance service have an effect on all people and we have to do extra to verify the service is given ample sources to allow them to attend in time.’
Ambulance commerce unions have additionally demanded solutions to the difficulty. Derek Thomson, Scottish secretary for Unite, stated: ‘Unite has repeatedly said that there’s a nationwide emergency dealing with our well being companies.
‘Unite’s tons of of members within the Scottish Ambulance Service have been on the frontline of this emergency state of affairs for years and they’re telling us that they’re fatigued because of being understaffed and dealing extreme hours.’
A Scottish Government spokesman stated: ‘Our ideas and condolences exit to Tom and his household, nonetheless, it could be inappropriate for us to supply touch upon a person case.’
When requested in regards to the incident, a spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service stated final evening: ‘We don’t touch upon particular person instances.’
