By Tom Pugh
The Press Association
EAST SUSSEX, England — A 38-year-old man collapsed and died following a cardiac arrest shortly after ambulance staff left him, an inquest heard today.
Michael Bradford’s partner dialled 999 after he complained of chest pains on his left side, prompting an ambulance crew to turn up at their home.
He was asked a series of questions and various tests were conducted on him but he declined an offer to be transported to hospital, the inquest was told.
Ambulance technician Wayne Newton and his colleague Rob Broadway left Mr Bradford after telling him he might have a chest infection and advising him to visit a GP the following day.
Within an half an hour of the crew leaving, Mr Bradford complained of feeling ill again and a second ambulance was dispatched to his home in Sycamore Close, Portslade, East Sussex, just before 11pm on June 14.
The inquest at Brighton County Court heard Mr Bradford suffered a cardiac arrest and died at home. A post-mortem examination found he died from natural causes.
Jon Morris, clinical operations manager at South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb), said the two staff were due to clock off at 11pm following a 12-hour working day.
He said that according to best practice, a bulky 12-lead ECG machine should have been taken up to his flat at the initial visit as the information from the 999 call suggested it might be a cardiac emergency.
A transcript of the first 999 call was read out, detailing Mr Bradford’s symptoms included a numb left arm, pins and needles, vomiting and a clammy feeling.
Mr Newton said they arrived to find Mr Bradford sitting leaning forward on his bed suffering from anxiety. Tests, including for blood pressure, level of pain and consciousness were carried out after he was walked down to the ambulance.
They hoped to carry out ECG examinations but the inquest heard Mr Bradford declined, saying he felt claustrophobic in the vehicle and he left.
Mr Newton told the hearing: ``I believe Rob said that the best thing is to take him down to hospital or if not then we can get a GP to come out this evening.’'
Mr Bradford said he would be visiting a GP the following day for treatment for a boil.
Mr Newton said it was a ``good question’’ when he was asked why their crew was not dispatched to Mr Bradford the second time, despite them being the closest crew.
Asked how he felt when told of Mr Bradford’s death, he added: ``It’s a tragic shame. A few more investigations in the vehicle and we may have been able to do more.’'
Toxicology tests found no trace of alcohol or drugs. However, the inquest was told Mr Bradford had a history of alcoholism and had used cannabis and cocaine in the past.
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