By Rosa Silverman
Telegraph
ESSEX — Ian Pratt was uncertain about the condition of the casualty, referred to as Patient A, when he picked her up, a disciplinary panel heard.
He failed to seek clinical advice and took her straight to Colchester General Hospital in Essex instead of to the special coronary centre at Basildon. When he arrived at Colchester medics told him to take the patient to the primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) centre in Basildon 40 miles away.
During the journey Mr Pratt, working for the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, failed to identify factors pointing to the woman’s worsening condition. The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) heard he did not assess her airway, place her in the recovery position or notify the PPCI centre about her condition.
The woman died within an hour of arrival at the centre.
Clare Reggiori, chairing the panel, said: “The shortcomings were serious in that Mr Pratt failed to provide proper and adequate care to Patient A on two occasions on the same day. The patient was in a critical condition and therefore Mr Pratt’s compliance with protocols designed to minimise risk of harm was essential.
“There is no evidence of remedial action taken by Mr Pratt, and for this reason he must still present a risk of offering inadequate care.”
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