THE DUBLIN city coroner has recommended that emergency services in the southeast be reviewed to ensure that ambulances are properly directed to patients’ homes.
Dr Brian Farrell made the recommendation on foot of the inquest into the death of Áine Kennedy (5½), Ballyellis, Gorey, Co Wexford, at Dublin Coroner’s Court, after hearing evidence that a triage nurse had trouble directing the ambulance crew to her family’s rural home.
On the morning of April 26th, 2010, Áine woke up with a high temperature. Her parents contacted Caredoc – the out-of-hours service in the southeast – and spoke with a triage nurse who called an ambulance.
However she had difficulty in locating the family home and it was decided the Kennedys would take Áine to Ferns to meet the ambulance. This was later changed to Gorey Ambulance Centre.
Áine, who was autistic and had a history of epilepsy, had been seizing through the day. She was brought to Wexford General Hospital where the seizures were brought under control. She was then transferred to the intensive care unit in Our Lady’s hospital, Crumlin, as her condition deteriorated. She died the following day.
Postmortem results showed she had died as a result of multi-organ failure with clinical features suggestive of septicaemia.
The coroner delivered a narrative verdict outlining the facts. He will also write, without prejudice, to Caredoc, the ambulance services and other relevant authorities to recommend a review of emergency services arrangements particularly for people living in rural areas. The recommendation will suggest allowing families speak directly to ambulance control or the ambulance crew to give directions.
Speaking outside the court, Áine’s mother Caroline Kennedy said something needed to be done to improve the ambulance service.
“I know that resources and everything else are tight, but when you make a 999 distress call or you ring Caredoc, you are not ringing it for kicks – you know that you have a situation where your child is critical,” she said.