Hobart man says three hour wait for ambulance was ‘harrowing’

An elderly New Town man who lives just three blocks from the hospital claims he was forced to wait three agonising hours for help after his wife collapsed in their kitchen. Here’s what Ambulance Tasmania had to say >>

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A NEW Town man who waited three hours for an ambulance after his wife collapsed in their kitchen said the long delay was a harrowing experience.

Michael Dixon called the triple-0 emergency number after his wife Geraldine suddenly fell seriously ill on June 18.

Mr Dixon asked for an ambulance to be sent urgently as his wife lapsed in and out of consciousness and a neighbour came to their aid.

LONG WAIT: Geraldine Dixon 77 and Michael Dixon 80 of Hobart. Geraldine recently waited for around 3 hours for an ambulance after a medical episode at home. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“They said there would be a bit of a delay,” he said.

“They quizzed me about her condition.

“I was very upset. I’m 80 years of age and I’ve been living with her for 54 years.

“It was a feeling of helplessness. Fifty years ago I would have picked her up and put her in the car.

“We are within walking distance of the ambulance (station) and only three blocks from the hospital.

“I can’t think of a worse medical emergency than a 78-year-old woman lying on the floor in and out of consciousness.

“It was absolutely horrible, and it’s taken me until this time to be able to talk about it.”

Mr Dixon said after multiple calls for help and calls back from the ambulance service, a crew finally turned up three hours after the initial call.

“I cannot speak more highly of that crew, who managed to rouse Geraldine and get her to the stage where she could stand up,” Mr Dixon said.

“There is a special place in heaven for those two men who were competent, kindly and compassionate.

Mrs Dixon has since recovered after being diagnosed with a heart complaint, after the ‘harrowing’ wait on the kitchen floor. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“Geraldine was taken to Calvary Hospital where she was treated with kindness and care.”

Mrs Dixon has since recovered after being diagnosed with a heart complaint.

Mr Dixon said he could not understand how the ambulance service did not have enough resources.

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“What kind of politician creates a health system which causes a 78-year-old woman to lie on a hard, cold kitchen floor for three hours on a cold winter’s day in Hobart,” he said.

“Apparently it is the new normal in Tasmania.”

Ambulance Tasmania’s latest figures show the average ambulance response time in Hobart is 11.7 minutes, with a statewide average of 12.9 minutes.

Ambulance Tasmania acting chief executive Matthew Eastham said he acknowledged Mr and Mrs Dixon waited longer for an ambulance than would normally be expected, saying it was during a period of high demand.

“During the period they were waiting, an Ambulance Tasmania clinician contacted Mr and Mrs Dixon to ensure Mrs Dixon’s condition was assessed and monitored,” he said.

“An examination of the case indicates it was triaged appropriately and in accordance with clinical guidelines.”

Health Minister Sarah Courtney said she would work to improve response times. “I acknowledge this was a distressing time for Mr and Mrs Dixon, and want to assure them and the community we’ll continue to work closely with Ambulance Tasmania and the Tasmanian Health Service to improve the services we deliver,” Ms Courtney said.

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