Robison under fire for ruling out 999 changes

Health Secretary Shona Robison has sparked fury by ruling out a grieving family’s request to change 999 rules.

Ronald Russell collapsed while he was making an emergency call as the handler asked for a phone number already displayed on their system rather than an address.

As a result, an ambulance was never sent and the 49-year-old from Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, was found dead the next day.

Mr Russell’s sister, Margo Cassidy, is campaigning for ambulance call handlers to ask for an address first.

Mrs Cassidy, from Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, revealed yesterday that Ms Robison had ruled out the change.

The 52-year-old said she was “incensed” and “disgusted”.

Ms Robison, writing to Mrs Cassidy’s MSP, Alex Neil, said: “It is essential that we ensure that incidents like the one experienced by Mr Russell and his family never happen again and I offer my sincere condolences to Mr Russell’s family for their sad loss.

“As the service has pointed out in their response, it is important that call handlers are able to confirm a patient’s telephone number at the beginning of any call to ensure that they have the capability to call them back should the call be disconnected for any reason.

“I am happy that this is the correct procedure to ensure safety of patients.”

Mrs Cassidy responded: “It’s disgusting. I waited so long for that response and it’s just hitting another brick wall. When I read it I was so angry, and disappointed. It’s not about our loss any more, it’s about the lives that we could save.

She added: “It’s just ludicrous to think that the first thing they ask for is a phone number.

“I don’t believe Shona Robison even read the evidence I sent to her. I have spoken to other ambulance services in England such as Cumbria, London, Sussex and others, who all ask for a location first.”

Mrs Cassidy now hopes to arrange a meeting with the health secretary. She added: “I’d like her to tell me to my face why no changes should be made.”

Mr Russell died in July last year. The call handler tried to call back three times but had no reply, and passed the case to a supervisor. But this was not followed up.

No change to 999 rules: Shona Robison.