What are ambulance and paramedic negligence claims?

The ambulance and paramedic service provided by the NHS is a vital resource that has saved countless lives over the decades, responding to emergency situations and providing critical care when it is needed most.

For many, the response is swift, and the treatment provided is of the highest quality, ensuring the best possible outcome and chance of recovery. However, there are times when standards slip, delays occur, and the level of care falls below acceptable standards. When this happens, it becomes all too easy for patients to suffer as a result of negligent treatment.

At Slater and Gordon, we understand how distressing it can be when the emergency treatment you or a loved one received causes further harm or suffering. No one should have to suffer the consequences of someone else’s negligence, particularly from the people we trust during our most vulnerable moments.

If you have suffered avoidable harm as a result of ambulance or paramedic negligence, you could be entitled to claim compensation.

What are ambulance delays?

Ambulance delays and wait times are often discussed in the media, and often in a relatively negative light. However, there are many people who receive the right care and treatment at the right time when phoning an ambulance, and it’s important to remember that the speed with which a person requires treatment can differ depending on what the problem is.

For some, the level of emergency is high, and the person should be attended to promptly, potentially within minutes where possible. For others, the situation could be much less urgent, and the wait may take hours.

An ambulance delay is classed as any situation in which a person is made to wait longer for medical treatment than is right for their level of medical emergency. It can include:

• Delays in an ambulance being sent to the scene of an emergency
• Delays in reaching a hospital
• Issues during transfers between hospitals

What can cause ambulance delays?

There are numerous reasons why an ambulance may be delayed in responding to an emergency call, such as:

• Staffing pressures, meaning there are not enough people to respond to emergency calls
• A lack of available resources, or financial pressures, in the NHS
• A lack of staff training, resulting in fewer staff members who are able to safely deliver emergency response services

What are paramedic negligence claims?

Once an ambulance has arrived, it is very important that the decision making process and treatment provided by the paramedics is reasonable. Should a wrong decision be made, or the paramedics not provide the treatment that is urgently needed, then the patient’s health could deteriorate, resulting in further complications that can severely affect a person’s treatment options and quality of life.

What are the risks of ambulance delays and paramedic negligence?

As paramedics and ambulance staff are often the first medical professionals to examine patients, their response can significantly alter the course of treatment and recovery. Delayed or negligent treatment can cause any number of issues, such as leaving patients vulnerable to:

• An infection developing and causing sepsis
• A stroke
• A heart attack, or cardiac arrest
• An amputation if a broken bone has disrupted the blood flow to a limb
• Paralysis

Can I make and ambulance delay claim or a paramedic negligence claim?

In certain cases, you may be able to make successful negligence claims for a delayed ambulance or substandard paramedic care, but you must be able to prove that the care you received was below par, and that this then caused you to suffer avoidable harm as a result of your condition worsening, or the development of a new condition that could have been prevented.

If you are unsure, we strongly encourage you to reach out to our industry-leading medical negligence team, as they’ll be able to help identify any negligent treatment you received. To establish your full legal position, get in touch on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online.

Why should I choose Slater and Gordon?

At Slater and Gordon, our medical negligence solicitors have many years’ experience in handling a range of cases, from the straightforward to the complex, and work hard to ensure our clients not only achieve the best financial outcome, but can rest easy throughout the process knowing everything is well taken care of.

Our industry-leading team are consistently ranked highly in independent legal directories, such as Chambers and Partners, and the Legal 500, and are proud to have helped numerous clients achieve the compensation they deserve.

Our team members also include trained nurses and medical professionals who provide us with expert knowledge, in-house, helping us to secure the best possible outcomes for our clients. This means our clients can focus on their recovery, while we handle their claim.