Medic 'broke rules' for concert

A Cumbrian paramedic has been accused of breaking crew rules so she could get to a Freddie Mercury tribute concert.

Claire Lomas, from Penrith, attended a 77-year-old cyclist who had fallen from his bike, he later died in hospital.

The Health Professions Council (HPC) alleged the paramedic was guilty of misconduct or lack of competence.

The Conduct and Competence Committee was told that she pre-arranged an unauthorised early crew change. The hearing is expected to last two days.

It was alleged that she made a diversion en route to the hospital for the handover, causing an unacceptable delay in the patient being transferred to hospital.

Miss Lomas is also accused of failing to accurately assess the seriousness of the patient's condition.

Miss Lomas was dismissed by her employers, the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, in November 2006.

The hearing continues.