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Hospital Delay Led to Patient's Death, Family Claims
23 Jan
Summary
- Family blames system for a 91-year-old's death due to ambulance wait.
- Hospital consultant stated prolonged wait caused death, care was insufficient.
- Lack of oxygen during transfer to toilet possibly contributed to fatality.
A 91-year-old woman, Christina, died after a critical delay in receiving hospital care. Her family reported that after contacting a GP the night before, they were advised to call an ambulance. Christina was transported to Raigmore Hospital, but faced a significant wait before being assessed by staff.
Family members were later informed by a hospital consultant that the prolonged wait in the ambulance and subsequent delays had caused Christina's death. They were told that had she been admitted sooner, she would have survived. It was also noted that oxygen was not administered during a transfer to the toilet, which may have contributed to her passing.
The family attributes the situation to systemic issues within the healthcare service, citing paramedics experiencing excessive wait times outside the hospital. Christina's death was officially attributed to RSV, exacerbated by COPD. The case is currently with the procurator fiscal.
