Aberdeenshire family shares their heartbreaking experience to advocate for change
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In a heart-wrenching incident that underscores the critical need for improvements in emergency medical services, a family from Aberdeenshire is advocating for change following the tragic death of their father and grandfather, Harry de Vries. The 78-year-old suffered a fatal heart attack while visiting family in Banchory, and despite the situation being classified as ‘Immediately Life Threatening (ILT)’, it took nearly 40 minutes for paramedics to arrive.
Emergency response times in question
Harry de Vries had traveled from the Netherlands to spend time with his family, a tradition they cherished every year. On the fateful morning of January 12, while his daughter and son-in-law were attending a funeral in Northern Ireland, his granddaughter Sophie, just 18 years old, was left to call 999 and initiate CPR, guided by the operator.
Her 16-year-old brother Timothy, trained in first aid through the Cadets, took over the life-saving efforts. Despite their brave attempts, Mr. de Vries was pronounced dead upon the arrival of the medical team.
Family’s call for accountability
The family was devastated by the news and felt compelled to voice their concerns regarding the ambulance service’s response time. Nick Ledger, Mr. de Vries’ son-in-law, expressed pride in his children’s efforts but emphasized that a 40-minute wait for an ambulance is unacceptable, especially given the proximity of a local ambulance service. The family lodged a formal complaint with the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), seeking clarity on the delays.
Systemic issues within the ambulance service
In response to the family’s complaint, SAS acknowledged the delay and explained that the first available ambulance was dispatched just two minutes after the call was made. However, due to a backlog of patients at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI), the ambulance did not arrive until AM, nearly 40 minutes later. The average delay for handovers at ARI that night was reported to be an alarming one hour and 40 minutes, highlighting systemic issues that have plagued the ambulance service in the region.
Advocating for change
The family is not only seeking answers but also aiming to raise awareness about the urgent need for reform within the NHS Grampian and ARI systems. They have reached out to local MP Alexander Burnett, who has echoed their concerns, stating that no young person should endure such trauma. Health Secretary Neil Gray acknowledged the severity of the situation, noting that ambulance stacking at ARI is among the worst in the country, yet no actionable solutions have been implemented.
Community response and future implications
The Scottish Ambulance Service has expressed condolences to the family and reiterated its commitment to improving response times. NHS Grampian has also pledged to work closely with SAS to address the ongoing issues. The tragic case of Mr. de Vries serves as a stark reminder of the importance of timely medical intervention and the potential consequences of systemic failures in emergency services. The family hopes that by sharing their story, they can prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
