Probe into 11-hour ambulance wait

Mr Green was told he would have to wait 11 hours for NHS transport

An inquiry has begun into claims the family of a dying man from Salford was told he would have to wait 11 hours for an ambulance to take him to a hospice.

Dennis Green's sons were so concerned about the state of their terminally-ill father's health that they carried him from his flat in Eccles to a taxi rank.

Mr Green, 77, was taken to St Ann's Hospice in Little Hulton, Salford, where he died the following day.

An inquiry has been opened by ambulance chiefs and Salford Primary Care Trust.

Mr Green, who had been ill for a number of years with lung disease and had previously suffered multiple heart attacks and pneumonia, had developed gangrene in his leg.

Midnight wait

At lunchtime on 4 January a GP visited him at home. It is understood she tried to ring a special number which allows medical professionals immediate access to an ambulance but the family claim the doctor said she was unable to get through.

According to the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust doctors can be put in a queue but their calls should never go unanswered.

For them to be told there would be no ambulance available from the time they phoned, around 1pm, until midnight is unacceptable Ian Stewart, Eccles MP

The family allege the GP then tried to arrange non-emergency NHS transport but was told it might not be available until midnight that night. It is believed this too may be disputed by the GP during the inquiry.

The case has been raised by Eccles MP Ian Stewart in Parliament.

"For them to be told there would be no ambulance available from the time they phoned, around 1pm, until midnight is unacceptable," he said.

A Salford PCT spokesman said: "When we became aware of the incident we embarked on an investigation, which has included liaising with Mr Green's family, GP and the ambulance service.

"That investigation is still taking place so it would be inappropriate to comment."

An ambulance service spokesman said: "A formal investigation, in partnership with Salford PCT, is taking place."