SUTTON BRIDGE: ‘Fight to live’ call after man’s death
Villagers in Sutton Bridge are being urged to fight for their right to live after an elderly man’s death renewed concerns about the ambulance service.
Bert Goode, 79, collapsed at his home and had to wait two hours for paramedics to arrive and help him into a chair.
He recovered at home but his wife, Jennie, said his condition deteriorated later that week and, on the advice of his doctor, was taken by car to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, where he died on February 15.
Jennie, 77, of Falklands Way, said: “We couldn’t bear the thought of waiting for an ambulance again.
“They don’t come. You wait and you can feel your heart beating because you are so stressed with worry – and at the same time you are trying to look after your patient.”
The case is the latest to have been highlighted in the debate about ambulance response times.
Sutton Bridge councillor Chris Brewis fears the outcome of a major ‘Being the Best’ consultation by the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) will offer little to improve response times.
He said: “It’s time to fight for our right to live.
“It looks as though, as so often in the past, it will be down to the residents of South East Lincolnshire to solve the EMAS problem in the way they often solve problems – by doing it themselves.”
Mr Brewis is also calling for more people to sign up as LIVES (Lincolnshire Integrated Voluntary Emergency Service) first responders so no-one in a life-threatening situation has to wait more than the stipulated eight minutes for help to arrive.
Steven Hyde, the charity’s fundraising and recruitment manager, will address an open meeting at the Curlew Centre on Thursday March 28 at 6.30pm, which organisers hope will rally support.
He said: “I am a firm supporter of EMAS but in a rural area like Lincolnshire it is impossible for them to be everywhere.”
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Weather for King's Lynn
Saturday 25 May 2013
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Temperature: 6 C to 13 C
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