Apology for ambulance crew change

Elaine and Michael Newton have had a letter of apology

Ambulance bosses have admitted that mistakes were made when a crew changed shift while a Devon man was being taken to hospital after a heart attack.

Michael Newton, 71, from Seaton, said he had to wait 20 minutes while a new crew took over the vehicle.

The Westcountry Ambulance Service (WAS) said it was five minutes, but that it was not authorised and has apologised.

It said guidelines stipulated chest pain patients should get to hospital as quickly as possible.

I think if he got a chest pain again, I wouldn't call the ambulance Elaine Newton

Mr Newton was being taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital in January when the ambulance stopped at an ambulance station in Honiton for the crew change.

Mr Newton, who is currently waiting for a triple heart by-pass operation, has had a letter apologising for the incident but said the apology should go further.

He said: "I think it's diabolical. I have a letter with an apology for me, but I want an apology for my wife and my family and the trauma they have gone through."

His wife, Elaine, said: "I think if he got a chest pain again, I wouldn't call the ambulance. I'd call a cab or take him myself in the car.

"There's an explanation there of what happened, but there's no reason given why it happened and what was going through their heads when they changed shift with a man who had had a heart attack in the back."

The WAS said it should not have happened and that appropriate disciplinary action has been taken.

Michael Willis of the WAS said: "There are always lessons to be learnt.

"From this exercise we've picked up reinforced regulations, particularly about involving the patient in any decision that might affect their treatment on the way to hospital."

The Newtons say they were very angry about what happened, but they were keen to put the episode behind them and they were too upset to take up the ambulance trust's offer of face-to-face talks.