Blackburn man bled to death after calling twice for an ambulance — which took five hours to arrive

A Blackburn man who fell and split his head open managed to call triple-0 twice, but bled to death over five hours because paramedics couldn’t leave Box Hill Hospital, just a suburb away.

Paramedics could not leave Box Hill Hospital for five hours, despite the fact an elderly man had fallen and split his head open. Picture: Wayne Taylor

An elderly man was left bleeding to death despite phoning triple-0 twice, with five ambulances parked just a suburb away but unable to respond to his call.

The Blackburn man called for help shortly before 11.30pm last Thursday after falling and splitting his head open, but it was almost five hours before paramedics arrived and found him dead.

Before he died the desperate man had again called triple-0.

The Herald Sun has been told up to five ambulance crews were ramped at nearby Box Hill Hospital while the man lay dying, but were unable to leave until their patients had been admitted.

It is understood frustrated paramedics had urged the overrun hospital to allow them to get back on the road but were told they had to stay.

Ambulance crews at busy Box Hill Hospital during the Covid pandemic. Picture: Ian Currie

Victorian Ambulance Union secretary Danny Hill said paramedics who attended the scene at about 4am – after firefighters had helped them force entry – were distraught.

“When they saw him they couldn’t believe how much blood there was or that he was in any condition to even call for help the first time,” Mr Hill said.

“They were pretty devastated by what they saw.”

The tragic failure has prompted Ambulance Victoria to review the case which will also be referred to the state Coroner.

“Ambulance Victoria is committed to providing the highest standards of care for every patient,” an Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said.

“We are reviewing this case to help us better understand exactly what occurred and will share our findings with the family.

“As this matter will also be referred to the Coroner, it would be inappropriate to comment any further on this case.”

It comes as the Victorian Parliament’s inquiry into Ambulance Victoria continues Friday with its first public hearings.

The inquiry is examining issues including ambulance ramping and workloads of paramedics, as well as allegations of fraud and embezzlement, and the workplace culture within the service.

Victorian Ambulance Union secretary Danny Hill said paramedics who finally attended the scene – after firefighters helped them force entry – were distraught.

It has already been told that several lives have been lost and many more are being put at risk due to a toxic culture of harassment, poor management, burnout and a resourcing crisis.

It has also heard of escalating concerns and warnings that ramping has cost several lives and endangered more.

Shadow health minister, Georgie Crozier, said the avoidable death highlighted an ongoing crisis within Victoria’s health system.

“This tragic death may have been avoided if an ambulance was dispatched and the system was working,” she said.

“Under Labor, Ambulance Victoria remains in crisis and sadly it’s Victorians who are paying the price with their lives.”

Asked about the failure to release paramedics back onto the road a spokesperson for Eastern Health, which operates Box Hill Hospital, said the system was “under a great deal of pressure”.

It’s understood the ambulance crews asked to leave overrun Box Hill hospital to get back on the road but were told to stay. Picture: Ian Currie

“Eastern Health are saddened to hear of the passing of a member of our community, our thoughts are with their family,” she said.

“Our staff are working incredibly hard to provide the very best care for all our patients.

“At times, our Emergency Departments experience significant pressures due to an increased volume of higher acuity cases, which can lead to limited bed availability.

“Despite the health system being under a great deal of pressure, we constantly strive to work with Ambulance Victoria to deliver the best care for our community.

“This includes our aim to release Ambulance Victoria crews as soon as possible.”

A government spokesperson said paramedics and emergency departments continued to face record demand which prompted a record $31bn health spending commitment in last month’s budget.