LONDON — A paramedic accused of leaving patients in an ambulance, twice, while he went shopping and got his hair cut, was found guilty of misconduct.
Dominic Colella resigned from the London Ambulance Service in March 2013 due to stress, and has expressed interest in wanting to resume his job as a paramedic, BBC reports.
He did not attend his hearing.
On March 9, 2013, Colella responded to a call for an 85-year-old man who collapsed with severe blood poisoning. The patient waited in the ambulance for 20 minutes as Colella returned from Marks and Spencer’s carrying two shopping bags, the tribunal board heard.
On March 30, 2013, he left a man with head injuries in the care of another staff member while he went to get his hair cut.
In both cases, Colella was driving the ambulance and colleagues said they felt they had no choice but to wait for him. Colella admitted to abandoning his colleagues and patients and said he regretted his behavior.
Yet the fact that he didn’t attend his tribunal hearing caused the panel to question whether he understood the seriousness of his actions, BBC reports.
“Whilst it appears no harm was caused, the potential impact of the registrant’s actions could have had serious consequences for the patients,” said panel chairwoman Gillian Fleming. “The registrant’s actions may indicate an attitudinal problem which he appears to have taken no real steps to address. There’s no evidence to suggest his behavior has changed.”