Woman, 94, died after 11-hour wait for ambulance

A coroner has raised concerns over the death of a 94-year-old woman who fell and was left waiting for 11 hours for an ambulance on the floor of her home.

Vera Spencer fell at her home in Ripley, Derbyshire, on the evening of 6 December 2023, but paramedics did not arrive until the next day.

She died in hospital on 11 December, and an inquest last month heard East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) was under "severe pressure" on the day she fell, and no alternative service was available to help her.

Assistant coroner Sophie Lomas has called for NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) to take action to prevent similar deaths in future. It has until 6 January to respond.

The inquest heard Mrs Spencer triggered a personal alarm to notify her next of kin after she fell and an ambulance was called at 22:11 GMT.

But paramedics did not arrive until 09:01 on 7 December, due to a combination of high call volumes and long handover delays at hospitals.

Mrs Spencer was given antibiotics for a chest infection and surgery to repair a fractured hip, but her condition deteriorated and she later died.

The inquest concluded her death was accidental and that she died of a combination of her fall, existing medical conditions and pneumonia.

Ms Lomas said it could not be determined whether Mrs Spencer's wait on the floor contributed to her developing pneumonia or whether her death could have been prevented if she had been treated sooner.

However, in the prevention of future deaths report, the coroner said: "At times when the ambulance service is under extreme pressure, individuals who have fallen at home can wait many hours on the floor before paramedics can attend.

"This is usually because falls are given a lower categorisation by the ambulance service because it is not a life-threatening situation.

"Resultant long lies can increase the risk of pneumonia, pressure damage and Rhabdomyolysis.

"Other than the ambulance service, there is no local falls service or team operating out of hours to assess patients and assist them off the floor following a fall."

The coroner added she feared there "is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken" and said she believed the ICB "has the power to take such action".

A spokesperson for NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB said: "We extend our sympathies to the family and friends of Vera Spencer over their loss.

"We will respond to the prevention of future deaths report from coroner Sophie Lomas in line with her request."

Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.