999 ambo shambles

Study finds serious failures in call system to pick out Covid patients

- Gordon Blackstock

A 999 call system which was designed to pick out Covid patients has been slammed by former senior paramedics and labelled poor.

Shock research has found call handlers at the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS)got it wrong in 94 percent of suspected coronavirus cases between April and August 2020.

The study led by ex-SAS consultant paramedic turned academic Dr. David Fitzpatrick - found worrying increases in the numbers of patients “non-conveyed” to hospital.

“Non-conveyance” is a term that applies to when a patient calls 999 but for a variety of reasons - they decide against it, improve by the time paramedics arrive or are assessed as not needing one - they never make the trip to hospital in an ambulance.

And it said there was a high death rate among those who didn't get in them.

The study looked at the use of Protocol 36 - where call handlers quiz callers on Covid-related symptoms.

The system was developed in 2003 after the outbreak of Sars. Worried SASbosses updated it for coronavirus.