Tragedy as boy, 16, dies after waiting nine hours for ambulance
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A teenager kept waiting more than nine hours for an ambulance died, despite his call being categorised as needing an urgent response, an inquest heard. Jackson Yeow, 16, was unable to make it to a GP appointment on April 4, 2022, as his gastritis symptoms worsened. His mother dialled 999, but despite several follow-up calls, an ambulance did not arrive until after he fell unconscious - around nine and a half hours later.
He was eventually taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff , where he was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis, pancreatitis, cerebral oedema, renal compromise and severe acidosis. His condition deteriorated and he died five days later, WalesOnline reported.
At an inquest last week, the ambulance service said its ability to respond to the call had been "substantially impaired" because a significant number of its ambulance crews were delayed at hospitals waiting to hand over patients. Coroner David Regan, who recorded a narrative conclusion, has issued Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board in South Wales with a prevention of future deaths report.
He wrote: "Care in corridors and other non clinical spaces has been normalised, which in the opinion of the consultant who gave evidence is unsafe. When conducted routinely, care in corridors and other non-clinical spaces reduces the capacity of the emergency department. In my opinion, action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you and your organisation have the power to take such action.
