Decision Report 201802571

Summary

Mr C complained on behalf of his late wife (Mrs A) that an ambulance crew unreasonably failed to take Mrs A to hospital. Mrs A had taken a reaction to medication which had recently been prescribed for her and her blood pressure had dropped to a dangerous level. The crew felt that it was appropriate for Mrs  A to remain at home as she was due to have a visit from a specialist nurse the following day. Mrs A died a short time later.

We took independent advice from a professional adviser. We found that the crew had managed to obtain two blood pressure readings from Mrs A and they were both at critically low levels. We considered that the blood pressure readings should have indicated that Mrs A was critically unwell and required assessment and treatment at the hospital which may have prevented her death. Therefore, we upheld Mr C's complaint.

We did not make any recommendations in this case as the ambulance service have accepted these failings, apologised and taken appropriate actions to prevent future failings.