By Karrie Gillett
Press Association Scotland
MORAY, Scotland — An ambulance technician who did not attend an emergency call to a dying heart attack patient because he was on his tea break will keep his job, it was announced today.
Mandy Mathieson, 33, died after she had a cardiac arrest in Tomintoul, Moray, on October 16.
The local on-duty technician did not respond to the call and paramedics from Grantown-on-Spey, around 15 miles away, were dispatched instead.
An air ambulance helicopter was also dispatched and reached the village almost half an hour after the initial call but Ms Mathieson was declared dead at the scene.
The ambulance technician was suspended and an investigation launched.
A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “The Scottish Ambulance Service has completed its investigation into the incident in Tomintoul on October 16.
“The ambulance technician involved will undertake further training and pass an evaluation before being allowed to return to operational duties.
“The chairman and chief executive will meet with the community in Tomintoul on January 28.’'
The case had been raised at the Scottish Parliament and First Minister Alex Salmond said it would be ``thoroughly investigated’’.
Labour’s Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant raised the issue at First Minister’s Questions.
She called on Mr Salmond to look into the cover, skills and employment practices of the Scottish Ambulance Service in remote and rural areas to ensure it is “fit for purpose’’.
Mr Salmond said at the time: ‘Investigations will be thorough, will come to a conclusion and the conclusions will be spelled out to this chamber.’'
Copyright 2011 The Press Association Limited