Cash crisis delays hospital dash

Chris Boag says the ambulance service needs to take action

A pregnant woman's partner had to pay for petrol when an ambulance almost ran out of fuel on its way to the hospital.

Julia Paul, 30, of Brentwood in Essex went into premature labour and had to be taken on a 130-mile trip to Leicester Royal Infirmary.

But the Essex Ambulance crew ran into trouble when the vehicle ran low on petrol on the motorway.

The couple's baby Kate was born safely six days later, but only weighed 2lbs 7oz.

Card rejected

Ms Paul's partner Chris Boag had to lend the ambulance driver £40 when his credit card was rejected.

The incident happened after the mother's waters broke at only 29 weeks.

The ambulance crews did the best they could with limited resources, but I think the service is under funded Chris Boag Father

The couple's local hospital in Chelmsford said it could not care for a premature baby, but was unable to find a suitable hospital for two days.

An ambulance was finally arranged to take Ms Paul to Leicester, but the first vehicle had a flat tyre and the second one ran out of petrol.

Mr Boag said: "We were on the M1 in Northamptonshire when the ambulance started to run low on fuel so we had to stop - but the crew's fuel card wouldn't work.

"Then the ambulance's GPS system broke down and we couldn't find the hospital.

He holds the management and chief executive of Essex ambulance responsible for the delays.

"The ambulance crews did the best they could with limited resources, but I think the service is under funded."

Mr Boag said his daughter is now doing well: "Both Julia and the baby are doing brilliantly."

Essex Ambulance Service has apologised and says action has been taken to ensure that its fuel cards are accepted at all service stations.

Deputy Chief Executive Paul Leaman said: "It was very distressing for the mother and embarrassing for the ambulance service, but no-one was in danger."