Pensioner left waiting 90-minutes for ambulance

11:00am Tuesday 19th February 2013 in News By Gina Marden

Pensioner left waiting 90-minutes for ambulance Pensioner left waiting 90-minutes for ambulance

A 90-year-old woman, who laid in freezing temperatures for five hours after breaking her thigh, was forced to wait 90-minutes for an ambulance.
 

Firefighters who were passing the home where stricken Irene Goodwin was laying in the snow, even arrived before ambulance crews and eventually carried the pensioner for the young female paramedics.
 

Her angry family hit out at the “disgusting” service she was given by the East of England Ambulance Service.

Her son Barry, 70, of Hawksberry Road, Canvey said: “It’s disgusting the way my mum had been treated.
 

Mrs Goodwin had been alone at her daughter Kim Townsend’s home in St Christopher’s Close, Canvey when she slipped over on the outside decking area at around 12pm last Monday.
 

The 90-year-old of Western Esplanade, Canvey broke her thigh bone and was left laying in the snow in sub-zero temperatures unable to call for help.
 

She lay there for five hours until she was eventually discovered by her daughter who returned home at 5pm.

By then, after suffering shock from her injury and due to the cold, Mrs Goodwin was also suffering from the potentially fatal condition hypothermia and was drifting in and out of consciousness.
 

After around 45-minutes a rapid responder - which is a single paramedic who uses an ambulance car and is unable to transport patients - arrived, but Mr Goodwin said they claimed to be unable to offer Mrs Goodwin pain relief or a splint for her injured leg.

Several frantic phone calls later, the family managed to summon fire crews from Canvey who were passing and stopped to help, carrying Mrs Goodwin in from the snow.

But it was not until 90-minutes after the first call that an ambulance finally arrived.

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service insisted the first paramedic arrived within 30-minutes of the call with an ambulance crew arriving within just under an hour. He insisted the service is working to improve response times.

Comments (18)

12:11pm Tue 19 Feb 13

Carnabackable says...

Thank goodness for the heroic fire brigade, coming to the rescue yet again.
Whilst the shambles of the Ambulance service, meanders along - probably having their tea break..
Thank goodness for the heroic fire brigade, coming to the rescue yet again. Whilst the shambles of the Ambulance service, meanders along - probably having their tea break.. Carnabackable

1:11pm Tue 19 Feb 13

Diannah says...

Why didn't the family invest in a careline alarm for her. With the pendant round her neck she could have called for immediate help.
Why didn't the family invest in a careline alarm for her. With the pendant round her neck she could have called for immediate help. Diannah

4:20pm Tue 19 Feb 13

Carnabackable says...

Diannah wrote:
Why didn't the family invest in a careline alarm for her. With the pendant round her neck she could have called for immediate help.
You'd be in the hope that when you dial 999 for an ambulance, they are coming to you on an immediate.
All that occurs with a care line, is THEY CALL AN AMBULANCE
[quote][p][bold]Diannah[/bold] wrote: Why didn't the family invest in a careline alarm for her. With the pendant round her neck she could have called for immediate help.[/p][/quote]You'd be in the hope that when you dial 999 for an ambulance, they are coming to you on an immediate. All that occurs with a care line, is THEY CALL AN AMBULANCE Carnabackable

4:40pm Tue 19 Feb 13

rochfordfa says...

Carline only works in your own home. She was visiting family on Canvey. The ambulance would have been sent to her home in Southend causing further delay.

Also, if there was snow on the ground at the time, then the ambulance service would have been at a stretch with all the other people falling over in the snow and based on the information given during the call she would have been given a place in the list of calls. Unfortunately if something more life threatening comes in then she would have dropped down the list a bit..

The real question that should be asked is what was the daughter doing out for 5 hours and why was an elderly lady walking outside on icey/snowy/wet decking which is always a major hazard even for the fit and young.
Carline only works in your own home. She was visiting family on Canvey. The ambulance would have been sent to her home in Southend causing further delay. Also, if there was snow on the ground at the time, then the ambulance service would have been at a stretch with all the other people falling over in the snow and based on the information given during the call she would have been given a place in the list of calls. Unfortunately if something more life threatening comes in then she would have dropped down the list a bit.. The real question that should be asked is what was the daughter doing out for 5 hours and why was an elderly lady walking outside on icey/snowy/wet decking which is always a major hazard even for the fit and young. rochfordfa

4:42pm Tue 19 Feb 13

rochfordfa says...

Forgot one thing. If she did break her hip and that is her in the photo then that is an amazing recovery in a week.
Forgot one thing. If she did break her hip and that is her in the photo then that is an amazing recovery in a week. rochfordfa

5:16pm Tue 19 Feb 13

Diannah says...

rochfordfa wrote:
Carline only works in your own home. She was visiting family on Canvey. The ambulance would have been sent to her home in Southend causing further delay.

Also, if there was snow on the ground at the time, then the ambulance service would have been at a stretch with all the other people falling over in the snow and based on the information given during the call she would have been given a place in the list of calls. Unfortunately if something more life threatening comes in then she would have dropped down the list a bit..

The real question that should be asked is what was the daughter doing out for 5 hours and why was an elderly lady walking outside on icey/snowy/wet decking which is always a major hazard even for the fit and young.
Good point re Careline and I certainly agree with your last paragraph. Although, I guess the photo was from Christmas unless the family have pet reindeer who eat readybrek! ;)
[quote][p][bold]rochfordfa[/bold] wrote: Carline only works in your own home. She was visiting family on Canvey. The ambulance would have been sent to her home in Southend causing further delay. Also, if there was snow on the ground at the time, then the ambulance service would have been at a stretch with all the other people falling over in the snow and based on the information given during the call she would have been given a place in the list of calls. Unfortunately if something more life threatening comes in then she would have dropped down the list a bit.. The real question that should be asked is what was the daughter doing out for 5 hours and why was an elderly lady walking outside on icey/snowy/wet decking which is always a major hazard even for the fit and young.[/p][/quote]Good point re Careline and I certainly agree with your last paragraph. Although, I guess the photo was from Christmas unless the family have pet reindeer who eat readybrek! ;) Diannah

5:51pm Tue 19 Feb 13

goodwid says...

Boyracer_1991 wrote:
Well its the not ambulances fault is it. How was they to know she was laying there? Did anyone phone up? Just another person trying to get famous via the Echo. Stupid old bag.
If you read the report donut,we were not moaning about her laying there for 5 hours we were moaning about how long it took from the time of the 999 phone call.

Are you joking calling her a stupid old bag and trying to get famous via the echo,i dont really think anyone has ever got famous through the evening echo,sounds like a bit of a sad case lol!
[quote][p][bold]Boyracer_1991[/bold] wrote: Well its the not ambulances fault is it. How was they to know she was laying there? Did anyone phone up? Just another person trying to get famous via the Echo. Stupid old bag.[/p][/quote]If you read the report donut,we were not moaning about her laying there for 5 hours we were moaning about how long it took from the time of the 999 phone call. Are you joking calling her a stupid old bag and trying to get famous via the echo,i dont really think anyone has ever got famous through the evening echo,sounds like a bit of a sad case lol! goodwid

7:06pm Tue 19 Feb 13

Almeda11 says...

Boyracer_1991 wrote:
Well its the not ambulances fault is it. How was they to know she was laying there? Did anyone phone up? Just another person trying to get famous via the Echo. Stupid old bag.
lf you had ANY common sense or intelligence at all you would have been able to work out that if someone is waiting for 90 minutes, then it follows that that means 90 minutes AFTER A CALL WAS MADE!! Got that.

So YES, OBVIOUSLY someone DID call an ambulance, and it WAS the ambulances fault that it took one and a half hours to get there.

As for your moronic and cruel comment about an old lady, well, you are beneath contemp, you are PATHETIC, and l have reported your comment.
[quote][p][bold]Boyracer_1991[/bold] wrote: Well its the not ambulances fault is it. How was they to know she was laying there? Did anyone phone up? Just another person trying to get famous via the Echo. Stupid old bag.[/p][/quote]lf you had ANY common sense or intelligence at all you would have been able to work out that if someone is waiting for 90 minutes, then it follows that that means 90 minutes AFTER A CALL WAS MADE!! Got that. So YES, OBVIOUSLY someone DID call an ambulance, and it WAS the ambulances fault that it took one and a half hours to get there. As for your moronic and cruel comment about an old lady, well, you are beneath contemp, you are PATHETIC, and l have reported your comment. Almeda11

7:19pm Tue 19 Feb 13

Almeda11 says...

rochfordfa wrote:
Carline only works in your own home. She was visiting family on Canvey. The ambulance would have been sent to her home in Southend causing further delay. Also, if there was snow on the ground at the time, then the ambulance service would have been at a stretch with all the other people falling over in the snow and based on the information given during the call she would have been given a place in the list of calls. Unfortunately if something more life threatening comes in then she would have dropped down the list a bit.. The real question that should be asked is what was the daughter doing out for 5 hours and why was an elderly lady walking outside on icey/snowy/wet decking which is always a major hazard even for the fit and young.
The daughter could have had a real and valid reason to be away for 5 hours, it`s hardly 5 days is it. And elderly people do sometimes like a wander around their homes, gardens or nearby, outside.
l have an elderly mother, 89, and she is still very active, cooking, shopping ect, even though she suffers from osteoarthritis of the spine and uses a mobility scooter.
Sometimes we all, old people included, over estimate our capabilities, and in this lady`s case it turned out this way.

The " real" problem is that when an accident like this happens the ambulance should get there quickly, with 15 minutes. This lady could have died, from shock, in the medical sense, or hypothermia.
[quote][p][bold]rochfordfa[/bold] wrote: Carline only works in your own home. She was visiting family on Canvey. The ambulance would have been sent to her home in Southend causing further delay. Also, if there was snow on the ground at the time, then the ambulance service would have been at a stretch with all the other people falling over in the snow and based on the information given during the call she would have been given a place in the list of calls. Unfortunately if something more life threatening comes in then she would have dropped down the list a bit.. The real question that should be asked is what was the daughter doing out for 5 hours and why was an elderly lady walking outside on icey/snowy/wet decking which is always a major hazard even for the fit and young.[/p][/quote]The daughter could have had a real and valid reason to be away for 5 hours, it`s hardly 5 days is it. And elderly people do sometimes like a wander around their homes, gardens or nearby, outside. l have an elderly mother, 89, and she is still very active, cooking, shopping ect, even though she suffers from osteoarthritis of the spine and uses a mobility scooter. Sometimes we all, old people included, over estimate our capabilities, and in this lady`s case it turned out this way. The " real" problem is that when an accident like this happens the ambulance should get there quickly, with 15 minutes. This lady could have died, from shock, in the medical sense, or hypothermia. Almeda11

7:24pm Tue 19 Feb 13

Almeda11 says...

rochfordfa wrote:
Forgot one thing. If she did break her hip and that is her in the photo then that is an amazing recovery in a week.
l doubt if that`s her in the photo, they can use a likeness.
[quote][p][bold]rochfordfa[/bold] wrote: Forgot one thing. If she did break her hip and that is her in the photo then that is an amazing recovery in a week.[/p][/quote]l doubt if that`s her in the photo, they can use a likeness. Almeda11

7:27pm Tue 19 Feb 13

Almeda11 says...

goodwid wrote:
Boyracer_1991 wrote: Well its the not ambulances fault is it. How was they to know she was laying there? Did anyone phone up? Just another person trying to get famous via the Echo. Stupid old bag.
If you read the report donut,we were not moaning about her laying there for 5 hours we were moaning about how long it took from the time of the 999 phone call. Are you joking calling her a stupid old bag and trying to get famous via the echo,i dont really think anyone has ever got famous through the evening echo,sounds like a bit of a sad case lol!
l`ve already reported this nasty and spiteful comment, also libelous, and l`d advise others to do the same.
[quote][p][bold]goodwid[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Boyracer_1991[/bold] wrote: Well its the not ambulances fault is it. How was they to know she was laying there? Did anyone phone up? Just another person trying to get famous via the Echo. Stupid old bag.[/p][/quote]If you read the report donut,we were not moaning about her laying there for 5 hours we were moaning about how long it took from the time of the 999 phone call. Are you joking calling her a stupid old bag and trying to get famous via the echo,i dont really think anyone has ever got famous through the evening echo,sounds like a bit of a sad case lol![/p][/quote]l`ve already reported this nasty and spiteful comment, also libelous, and l`d advise others to do the same. Almeda11

8:47pm Tue 19 Feb 13

stopmoaning1 says...

rochfordfa wrote:
Carline only works in your own home. She was visiting family on Canvey. The ambulance would have been sent to her home in Southend causing further delay.

Also, if there was snow on the ground at the time, then the ambulance service would have been at a stretch with all the other people falling over in the snow and based on the information given during the call she would have been given a place in the list of calls. Unfortunately if something more life threatening comes in then she would have dropped down the list a bit..

The real question that should be asked is what was the daughter doing out for 5 hours and why was an elderly lady walking outside on icey/snowy/wet decking which is always a major hazard even for the fit and young.
I would imagine there would be little more life threatening than a 90 year old woman with a broken hip suffering with hypothermia after laying in the snow for around five hours (six and a half by the time the ambulance arrived)
As for the daughter going out for five hours – how very dare she!
[quote][p][bold]rochfordfa[/bold] wrote: Carline only works in your own home. She was visiting family on Canvey. The ambulance would have been sent to her home in Southend causing further delay. Also, if there was snow on the ground at the time, then the ambulance service would have been at a stretch with all the other people falling over in the snow and based on the information given during the call she would have been given a place in the list of calls. Unfortunately if something more life threatening comes in then she would have dropped down the list a bit.. The real question that should be asked is what was the daughter doing out for 5 hours and why was an elderly lady walking outside on icey/snowy/wet decking which is always a major hazard even for the fit and young.[/p][/quote]I would imagine there would be little more life threatening than a 90 year old woman with a broken hip suffering with hypothermia after laying in the snow for around five hours (six and a half by the time the ambulance arrived) As for the daughter going out for five hours – how very dare she! stopmoaning1

10:00pm Tue 19 Feb 13

DogsMessInLeigh says...

There was a photo of the outside decking (in yesterdays echo paper)...its covered in green slippery moss....lethal, the owner should have kept it clean and safer to walk on ., 90 mins for an ambulance is unaceptable, but odd how the service says under 60mins and also a paramedic arrived at a differant time to what the caller stated.
these long waits seem to be getting more frequent.
There was a photo of the outside decking (in yesterdays echo paper)...its covered in green slippery moss....lethal, the owner should have kept it clean and safer to walk on ., 90 mins for an ambulance is unaceptable, but odd how the service says under 60mins and also a paramedic arrived at a differant time to what the caller stated. these long waits seem to be getting more frequent. DogsMessInLeigh

10:15am Wed 20 Feb 13

drofmor1 says...

I think some of you are missing the point. It does not matter whether the lady slipped on moss,ice,water or shoelaces. The fact is she had a broken hip,suffering potential shock and hypothermia AND drifting in and out of conciousness and it took the ambulance 90 minutes to arrive. This is a disgrace and we should all be concerned about the way the 999 ambulance service is now operated. What a dreadful way to treat a 90 year old lady and shame on you boyracer for your nasty remarks. Without these people coming forward we would be unaware of the poor state of the service.
I think some of you are missing the point. It does not matter whether the lady slipped on moss,ice,water or shoelaces. The fact is she had a broken hip,suffering potential shock and hypothermia AND drifting in and out of conciousness and it took the ambulance 90 minutes to arrive. This is a disgrace and we should all be concerned about the way the 999 ambulance service is now operated. What a dreadful way to treat a 90 year old lady and shame on you boyracer for your nasty remarks. Without these people coming forward we would be unaware of the poor state of the service. drofmor1

6:48pm Wed 20 Feb 13

Carnabackable says...

THE AMBULANCE SERVICE IS IN AN UTTER MESS, PRIVATISE IT
GOOD RIDDANCE .................
THE AMBULANCE SERVICE IS IN AN UTTER MESS, PRIVATISE IT GOOD RIDDANCE ................. Carnabackable

10:41pm Wed 20 Feb 13

Almeda11 says...

drofmor1 wrote:
I think some of you are missing the point. It does not matter whether the lady slipped on moss,ice,water or shoelaces. The fact is she had a broken hip,suffering potential shock and hypothermia AND drifting in and out of conciousness and it took the ambulance 90 minutes to arrive. This is a disgrace and we should all be concerned about the way the 999 ambulance service is now operated. What a dreadful way to treat a 90 year old lady and shame on you boyracer for your nasty remarks. Without these people coming forward we would be unaware of the poor state of the service.
Drofmor 1. l agree 100% with your comment.
l reported BOYracers, immature and nasty comment yeaterday, so l hope you do the same!
lf we all stick together on things like this it might make people think twice about it. l will report comments like that now every single time l see them!!
[quote][p][bold]drofmor1[/bold] wrote: I think some of you are missing the point. It does not matter whether the lady slipped on moss,ice,water or shoelaces. The fact is she had a broken hip,suffering potential shock and hypothermia AND drifting in and out of conciousness and it took the ambulance 90 minutes to arrive. This is a disgrace and we should all be concerned about the way the 999 ambulance service is now operated. What a dreadful way to treat a 90 year old lady and shame on you boyracer for your nasty remarks. Without these people coming forward we would be unaware of the poor state of the service.[/p][/quote]Drofmor 1. l agree 100% with your comment. l reported BOYracers, immature and nasty comment yeaterday, so l hope you do the same! lf we all stick together on things like this it might make people think twice about it. l will report comments like that now every single time l see them!! Almeda11

10:47pm Wed 20 Feb 13

Almeda11 says...

drofmor1 wrote:
I think some of you are missing the point. It does not matter whether the lady slipped on moss,ice,water or shoelaces. The fact is she had a broken hip,suffering potential shock and hypothermia AND drifting in and out of conciousness and it took the ambulance 90 minutes to arrive. This is a disgrace and we should all be concerned about the way the 999 ambulance service is now operated. What a dreadful way to treat a 90 year old lady and shame on you boyracer for your nasty remarks. Without these people coming forward we would be unaware of the poor state of the service.
Drofmor1 --- l agree 100% with your comment.

l reported boyracers immature and nasty comment yesterday, so l hope you do the same. Totally uncalled for.
[quote][p][bold]drofmor1[/bold] wrote: I think some of you are missing the point. It does not matter whether the lady slipped on moss,ice,water or shoelaces. The fact is she had a broken hip,suffering potential shock and hypothermia AND drifting in and out of conciousness and it took the ambulance 90 minutes to arrive. This is a disgrace and we should all be concerned about the way the 999 ambulance service is now operated. What a dreadful way to treat a 90 year old lady and shame on you boyracer for your nasty remarks. Without these people coming forward we would be unaware of the poor state of the service.[/p][/quote]Drofmor1 --- l agree 100% with your comment. l reported boyracers immature and nasty comment yesterday, so l hope you do the same. Totally uncalled for. Almeda11

2:32pm Thu 21 Feb 13

Jesslca says...

Says she broke her thigh not her hip..
Says she broke her thigh not her hip.. Jesslca

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