Paramedics 'abandoned' Ashfield mum with suspected heart attack

Distraught daughter Tara Chambers was scared for her mum as she watched paramedics drive away to another callout.

Tara Chambers, 38, was at the home of her mum, Jennifer Chambers, 65, in Huthwaite when the incident occurred on April 4.

She said: “My mum was complaining of chest pain, she was clammy and sweating. She has suffered from heart attacks before so I gave her an inhaler which didn’t seem to work so I dialed 999.

“I was told someone would be with me shortly, and could I go outside and meet them. When the paramedics arrived they said ‘Sorry, we’re not able to come in to help as we’ve been called to another call’. I explained my mum was having a heart attack, and all I got was ‘Sorry we can’t. Someone will be with you soon.’

“I was angry beyond words. I felt abandoned. The relief I felt once the paramedic turned up, and then to be turned away like that.

“I was scared for my mum’s welfare - every second counts with a heart attack.”

Tara said she was left in a total panic. Another ambulance was called which arrived five minutes later and luckily Jennifer got the help she needed.

Tara said: “The second paramedic came from Chesterfield and they took about five minutes, which seemed like forever - they were just as disgusted as I was.”

Jennifer was conveyed to Kings Mill Hospital, and has nothing but praise for the care she was given. The paramedics who treated her stayed by her bedside.

“Luckily enough my mum did not suffer a heart attack, it was angina," said Tara. "But I thought heart attack patients were a priority. How wrong was I?”

The incident illustrates the dire realities of how under-resourced our paramedics are, as East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) announced a year-end deficit of £12 million.

And this week a Chad investigation reveals that internal systems of fines and penalties could be to blame for bringing our paramedics to the brink of bankruptcy.

Tara complained to the service but has not had a response.

Greg Cox, EMAS’s general manager for Nottinghamshire said: “I can confirm that we have received a formal complaint about our response to this emergency call.

“An investigation into the circumstances is currently being carried out and when the facts are known, we will contact the family and advise them of our findings.”