‘Breathless’ dad died at home after NHS bosses cancelled his ambulace, inquest hears

An investigation into the tragic death of Simon Boyd, a 52-year-old father, revealed that he passed away at home after NHS authorities cancelled his ambulance request, despite his desperate plea for help. Simon had been suffering from symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea, possibly due to gastroenteritis or norovirus, in the days leading up to his passing in May 2023. His ex-wife, Elaine Parker-Boyd, disclosed that Simon had a complex medical history, including heart issues, high blood pressure, chronic fatigue syndrome, and sleep apnoea.

On the day of his death, Simon had contacted the NHS 111 service reporting dizziness, lethargy, and sweating. He was advised on self-care and instructed to seek further medical help if his symptoms persisted. Despite feeling slightly better the next day, Simon’s condition deteriorated rapidly, and he phoned for an ambulance at 5.20 am. Initially classified as a ‘category three’ case, the anticipated wait time for an ambulance was over three hours.

After being assessed over the phone by a doctor, Simon was referred to an out-of-hours service, leading to the cancellation of the ambulance response. When Simon informed his family that he was struggling to breathe, his ex-wife and son rushed to his flat, only to discover that he had passed away before any paramedics arrived.

The coroner’s report highlighted concerns regarding the lengthy wait times for ambulances and the triage system used by call handlers. The Health Secretary and NHS England have been called upon to address these issues raised in the report. Nimish Patel, representing the family, expressed the distress caused by the ambulance service’s constraints, potentially delaying urgent care for patients in critical need.

Both the Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England extended their condolences to Simon’s family and committed to reviewing the Prevention of Future Deaths report. Their 10-Year Health Plan aims to enhance ambulance services, ensuring prompt responses and rectifying deficiencies within the NHS.

The North West Ambulance Service expressed sympathy for the Boyd family and endorsed efforts to reduce wait times and enhance communication clarity for callers. The Greater Manchester Urgent Primary Care Alliance, where Simon was referred, has been requested for comment.

The untimely death of Simon Boyd underscores the critical need for efficient emergency medical services and comprehensive support for individuals with complex health conditions. It highlights the importance of timely intervention and accessibility to healthcare resources to prevent tragic outcomes like Simon’s.

Insights and Summary:
The tragic case of Simon Boyd serves as a stark reminder of the vital role of emergency medical services and the impact of delays in healthcare responses. It underscores the need for streamlined processes, improved communication, and timely access to medical assistance for individuals in critical situations. The coroner’s concerns regarding ambulance response times and call handling protocols highlight areas for potential system enhancements to prevent similar incidents in the future. Overall, this case emphasises the significance of a well-functioning healthcare system in providing timely and effective care to those in urgent need.