AN NHS Foundation Trust has apologised for the distress and anxiety it caused an Irishman in Bristol in need of help while he was caring for his dying wife.
When Limerick native John Histon called the NHS 111 service seeking assistance for his beloved wife Betty – who passed away in January from a chronic lung illness – he ended up being visited by Avon and Somerset Police.
The police call-out came after Mr Histon raised concerns regarding the advice he had been given by an ambulance crew who attended his home last December.
During a second 111 call the next day a distressed Mr Histon is alleged to have said it was ‘best to get her to suffocate’ in reference to his wife being seen as a burden on the health care system.
This led to a referral to Avon and Somerset Police who, acting on a duty of care, went to Mr Histon’s home to ensure his wife’s safety.
“We had finished a fish supper and I fell asleep,” Mr Histon recalled. “I woke up some time later to a knock on the door and there were two police officers on my step.”
South Western Ambulance Service (SWAS) has since admitted that it should have managed the incident differently.
In their letter of apology, seen by The Irish Post, which was sent to Mr Histon on February 16, SWAS CEO Ken Wenman said: “Although the EMD Supervisor Assistant explained that they did not believe you intended any ill towards your wife, the police advised that they had a duty of care to attend your address and to ensure your wife’s safety.”
Betty Histon passed away in JanuaryA spokesperson for the NHS Foundation Trust added: “The Trust has given Mr Histon sincere condolences following the loss of his wife, and is sorry that he took offence from the advice given to him by the ambulance service. The Trust has also confirmed that the safeguarding referral to the police could have been managed differently, however, due to the number of vulnerable people the Trust comes into contact with, staff are always very sensitive to such comments.”
Mr Histon claims the comments he made during that 111 call were wrongfully misinterpreted.
The incident took place last December but the Bristol Irishman has only just received his letter of apology from the head of the NHS Foundation Trust.
“I was deeply saddened to hear of your experience and on behalf of the Trust I would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any additional distress or anxiety experienced as a direct result of these incidents,” Mr Wenman added.
The CEO also apologised for a subsequent call to Mr Histon from Caroline Tonks, an investigating office for the Trust’s Clinical Hubs, made on the day of his wife’s funeral on February 4.
“Upon completion of the investigation, Mrs Tonks telephoned you on the 4th February 2015 in order to discuss the Trust’s findings. I was extremely sorry to learn that this was the date of your wife’s funeral. Mrs Tonks wishes to again pass on her sincere apologies for contacting you at this time as it was not her intention to cause you any further distress," he said.
Mr Histon’s wife Betty sadly passed away on January 23, having suffered from ill health for many years.
Aside from arthritis, she also suffered from a chronic lung illness and was on end of life care at the time of the incident with the South Western Ambulance Service.
“Everybody was amazed that she kept pulling through,” said Mr Histon, who added that he was determined to make his wife as comfortable as possible in her final weeks.
But on December 15, 2014, when Mr Histon noticed that his wife’s skin was purple around the lips, he grew concerned.
He put the call in to the 111 service and the South Western Ambulance Service dispatched its paramedics.
They say that after checking Mrs Histon over and confirming she had “a good colour and did not appear to be having any breathing difficulties” Mr Histon asked about his wife’s oxygen saturation levels.
John and Betty enjoy a seaside holiday in 1978One of the paramedics recommended that he buy a pulse oximeter – a device to check her vitals.
“She said it would save them being called out all the time, that it was a costly exercise,” Mr Histon claims. “I felt like we were a burden to the system.”
But the Trust, in its letter to Mr Histon, said: “Both crew members advised that this information was not intended to cause offence or distress and that you appeared to welcome their suggestion.”
It was the following day, when Mr Histon’s wife’s condition deteriorated, that the Limerick man called the 111 service again – this time also complaining about the previous evening’s paramedic visit.
It was following that conversation that Avon and Somerset Police were called.
Mr Histon is now considering whether to apply for compensation from the South Western Ambulance Service.
A spokesperson for the NHS Foundation Trust said: “Mr Histon has confirmed that he will be pursuing some form of financial compensation and although he has received a full response from the Trust regarding his complaint, should he feel there are any elements he still requires further clarification on we would urge him to get in touch.”
Timeline of events
December 15
Concerned for his wife's health, Mr Histon calls the NHS 111 Service at 6.17pm. Two paramedics arrive at his home at 6.30pm and check Mrs Histon's vitals, giving her the all clear before leaving at 7.15pm.
December 16
Mrs Histon’s condition deteriorates again so Mr Histon calls the 111 Service at 5.28pm where he lodges a complaint about the paramedics who called to his home the previous night.
Following that conversation, during which the Trust says Mr Histon said “Well I suppose it’s best to get her to suffocate and she won’t be a problem to you again,” the dispatcher – following consultation with a manager – contacts Avon and Somerset Police.
Avon and Somerset Police are called at 5.51pm by the ambulance service to carry out a welfare check. Officers attended a property at Westbury-on-Trym found everything was in order and no further action was taken.
Following an emergency referral from the 111 service at 6.30pm two ambulance crews arrive at Mr Histon’s home at 6.41pm.
December 17:
Mr Histon begins a complaints process against the South Western Ambulance Service and an investigation is launched.
January 23:
Betty Histon passes away.
February 4:
Mr Histon receives a call from a South Western Ambulance Service investigator on the day of his wife’s funeral.
February 9:
Mr Histon speaks with the ambulance service again, requesting a full written response.
February 16:
Mr Histon receives a letter from the Trust apologising for any distress caused. He is now considering whether to apply for compensation and has contacted a lawyer.
(Copyright The Irish Post)
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