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Original poster

Would you make a complaint about these paramedics?

547 replies

WatermelonWaveclub · 16/04/2024 10:30

I went to my GP the other day as I kept fainting when coughing. The GP said my HR was sky high. Then I coughed and fainted in front of the GP. Afterwards I couldn't move my legs properly. She phoned the hospital who said I need an ambulance. The GP got someone to get me in a wheelchair and take me to the nurse's room where I was put on a bed in a cubicle.

Anyway a few minutes later the ambulance crew turn up (3 of them). They did an ECG - ok but tachycardic. I said my legs were feeling ok by then. They did a lying and standing BP and checked I could feel both sides of my face, could hold both arms up, checked pupils etc. So they say they need to take me to hospital. They start heading off and so I follow them on foot. They're all walking ahead of me, chatting away, not one seeing if I'm ok. So consequently we get into the car park - I have a coughing fit and next thing I know I'm waking up on the car park floor.

I can't stop thinking about it. Were they at fault? Should they have used a wheelchair or at least someone walked with me? At the hospital they wouldn't even let me go to my scans etc in a wheelchair, I had to be taken in my bed. So if GP and nurse wouldn't let me walk was it right that the paramedics did?

OP posts:
diddl · 16/04/2024 14:37

Posters trying to blame the Op!

She was obviously very unwell & was being taken to hospital by ambulance called by her GP during an appointment which arrived promptly!

Of course she should not have been left at any time!

easylikeasundaymorn · 16/04/2024 14:37

EnglishBluebell · 16/04/2024 13:23

My god. Complaining about Paramedics because YOU randomly fainted before you reached the ambulance?!?! JFC

You're making it sound as though Op fainted just to be annoying. Why the aggression?

If you are a medical professional called to take someone who has fainted to hospital its not rocket science to take some basic precautions during transport to try and limit them from further injuring themselves in case they faint again!

Beatrixslobber · 16/04/2024 14:34

Absolutely they should have been supporting you to the ambulance! I would highlight it as it shouldn’t have happened and shouldn’t happen in the future.

Hope that you are on the mend.

Original poster
WatermelonWaveclub · 16/04/2024 14:21

Mummyexpat · 16/04/2024 14:11

Ex-ambulance EMT here. If you’d been my patient there’s NO way would you have been walking anywhere with your recent history! Access and egress can sometimes be restricted and so adaptions need to be made, but you were in a medical centre! And there was a wheelchair right there!! Very poor practice imo and it definitely should be highlighted. Hope you’re feeling better soon. 💐

Thank you, I'm on the mend 😊

OP posts:
longtompot · 16/04/2024 14:20

I think a constructive complaint is the way to go. If only for it to show that patients aren't aware of procedures so wouldn't know if they were expected to wait or go with the ambulance staff.

I'm glad you are on the mend and I hope you've found out what is causing this 💐

Original poster
WatermelonWaveclub · 16/04/2024 14:17

TroysMammy · 16/04/2024 14:10

You were lucky they turned up when they did. In my experience if an ambulance is called by the surgery they don't come that quickly as they know there are medics on the premises, defib and oxygen. The nurse would have done no check, ecg and other obs whilst you were there before they arrived. The paramedics would also have been given a background, firstly from the 999 call and an update when they attended.

The nurse didn't have time to do Obs/ECG as ambulance arrived so quickly. GP had done Obs prior and a neurological assessment which was concerning. And yes, they were given all the information.

OP posts:
AvocadosAreTheDevil · 16/04/2024 14:17

OP I work for the ambulance service, on their main website there will be a section for comments, compliments and complaints. It's a form you fill out and someone from the patient experience team will be in touch to discuss further, like you said, this is a learning opportunity, and they WILL want to know about it. Glad you are back home

HarrietPierce · 16/04/2024 14:16

"I would complain. You could've fainted again and hit your head on the car park."

She did.

penjil · 16/04/2024 14:12

They were negligent, let's be honest.

Not one of them was even walking with you to check you would be OK or not.

I would complain. You could've fainted again and hit your head on the car park.

Mummyexpat · 16/04/2024 14:11

Ex-ambulance EMT here. If you’d been my patient there’s NO way would you have been walking anywhere with your recent history! Access and egress can sometimes be restricted and so adaptions need to be made, but you were in a medical centre! And there was a wheelchair right there!! Very poor practice imo and it definitely should be highlighted. Hope you’re feeling better soon. 💐

TroysMammy · 16/04/2024 14:10

You were lucky they turned up when they did. In my experience if an ambulance is called by the surgery they don't come that quickly as they know there are medics on the premises, defib and oxygen. The nurse would have done no check, ecg and other obs whilst you were there before they arrived. The paramedics would also have been given a background, firstly from the 999 call and an update when they attended.

Original poster
WatermelonWaveclub · 16/04/2024 14:08

YellowDaffodilRedTulip · 16/04/2024 14:07

Well that is very much not true. That’s the whole point of having trained professionals in medical situations. To make those decisions for you.

Show quote history

Quite.

OP posts:
YellowDaffodilRedTulip · 16/04/2024 14:07

AnotherVice · 16/04/2024 13:57

OP, you were the best placed to make the decision on whether to walk or not.

Well that is very much not true. That’s the whole point of having trained professionals in medical situations. To make those decisions for you.

Original poster
WatermelonWaveclub · 16/04/2024 14:07

Itsaloadofbollocksbut · 16/04/2024 14:00

If they’re ambulance crew (the majority are) they’ve had 6 weeks training. Just FYI.

Paramedics need degrees and 2 years post-qual experience to become registered paramedics. Ambulance crew get 6 weeks but are all over the NHS contracts.

The one taking the lead was in a tech role but mentioned his paramedic training.

But putting that aside I think it's just very basic common sense to assist a patient who is likely to faint on the way to the ambulance.

OP posts:
IncompleteSenten · 16/04/2024 14:07

Imo you should report it. It isn't a good enough standard of care and shouldn't be ignored.

Original poster
WatermelonWaveclub · 16/04/2024 14:03

AnotherVice · 16/04/2024 13:57

OP, you were the best placed to make the decision on whether to walk or not.

I was seriously unwell, frequently losing consciousness and confused. I was in no position to make any kind of decision.

OP posts:
Itsaloadofbollocksbut · 16/04/2024 14:00

If they’re ambulance crew (the majority are) they’ve had 6 weeks training. Just FYI.

Paramedics need degrees and 2 years post-qual experience to become registered paramedics. Ambulance crew get 6 weeks but are all over the NHS contracts.

Iaskedyouthrice · 16/04/2024 13:58

I've changed my mind OP I do think you should put in a complaint to PALS, there needs to be better training on communication with patients at the very least.
I can never understand why, on these types of threads, people try and catch the OP out, or gaslight about what a paramedics job actually entails. Can someone shed any light on why they jump to blame the OP?
The paramedics were wrong. Why is anyone trying to justify it? Have we come to expect nothing from people who have spent years in training?

Original poster
WatermelonWaveclub · 16/04/2024 13:57

dragonscannotswim · 16/04/2024 13:40

I don't get some of the responses here. OF COURSE they should have walked with you, or even put you in a wheelchair to go out to the ambulance. They must have known there was a high risk of your coughing and fainting again??

Really poor practice. I'd send feedback to let them know.

I hope you're feeling better now?

Yes, thank you. This was last week. I'm home now and on the mend.

OP posts:
AnotherVice · 16/04/2024 13:57

OP, you were the best placed to make the decision on whether to walk or not.

Original poster
WatermelonWaveclub · 16/04/2024 13:56

Burpie · 16/04/2024 13:35

You shouldn't have followed them, they were probably going to get the trolley. You decided to get up to walk without being asked, I don't really know what else they could have done, so no I wouldn't complain.

Sometimes patients do get confused and they should have been able to deal with that. How do you know I wasn't asked? They could easily have guided me back to bed until the trolley came. If they thought I needed a trolley why would they be happy me walking unassisted and unsupervised. It makes no sense.

OP posts:
Chaoseverywhere · 16/04/2024 13:55

I think what’s happening here is that people are so grateful for the NHS and for the ‘free’ healthcare, that as soon as you mention any wrongdoing on their side people will jump up to defend them no matter how ludicrous the argument.

They are fallible. Their staff make mistakes. They can sometimes be negligent. They can be rude.

Yes we are very fortunate and blessed to have a wonderful healthcare in the U.K. However I do not think that makes it ok to negate someone’s personal experience when harm and distress has been caused by negligence.

Op clearly the paramedics did not look after you properly. If you have the energy then make a complaint. I doubt it will go anywhere but somebody should explain the importance of keeping a patient safe from further harm when with them. It’s pretty basic really. I hope you’re better soon.

Original poster
WatermelonWaveclub · 16/04/2024 13:54

Silvers11 · 16/04/2024 13:35

Honestly @WatermelonWaveclub I wonder if you were so unwell that you didn't take in what they said to you properly?

I can't imagine any ambulance crew just walking off and in front of you if they wanted you to walk to the ambulance to be honest. Maybe they said wait there, or maybe they said you didn't need to go to hospital and were surprised when they saw you behind them?

Yes, I definitely could have not taken in what they said. However, they were definitely aware I was following them and didn't stop me or take hold of my arm or something. I definitely needed hospital.

OP posts:
Original poster
WatermelonWaveclub · 16/04/2024 13:51

IncessantNameChanger · 16/04/2024 13:29

One of them should have walked with you. So yes I'd complain.

I complained when a paramedic was dismissive of my disabled son and missed the injury we went in for completely. I do strongly belive it was because of my sons disability. He made me feel like a chav with badly behaved child. Because he kept talking to him like he was stupid and dismissed me when I said he just didn't understand.

I was amazed that hospital took it seriously. They told him he couldn't work there again ( locum or agency staff). Undoubtedly he got another job as he would be in high demand but hopefully it checked his bedside manner and the next time a non verbal child goes in with a fall from height on metal he might think twice before assuming it was BS because the child couldn't retell the event. My ds had a 6" black bruise in his inner thigh that he missed dispite stripping him naked. He was tutting because my son would whip his pants off for a random man without hesitation. He tutted when I was explaining its OK because I was there too and he was a Dr ( he wasn't but my kid doesn't know what paramedic means.

I left feeling like people like "us" don't deserve medical help.

It's just not OK. No one lost their Job but they need to realise vulnerable people deserve respect and the basic, basic of care.

That's awful for you and your son. The tech? was dismissive of me when I was trying to explain some things - it was difficult for me to get the words out but I just felt dismissed. This was why I thought did he think I made it up. Strange when the GP had witnessed what happened and called the ambulance.

OP posts:
Original poster
WatermelonWaveclub · 16/04/2024 13:43

EnglishBluebell · 16/04/2024 13:25

They weren't there they were heading off in front of me. Took them a while to notice I was on the floor, tbh!

"How do you know it took them a while if you were unconscious?"

This!

Because you usually only stay unconscious for a few seconds. When I awoke there was noone with me.

OP posts:
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