Two leg amputations after incomplete assessment

WELLINGTON: A man in his late 80s who ran 10km a week had to have his leg amputated after an ambulance failed to take him to hospital.

The details have come to light through a Health and Disability Commission decision released yesterday.

In October 2019, the man had been working under a van for a few hours when his left leg became painful and numb.

He rang for an ambulance and, after a clinical assessment by phone, a paramedic and an emergency medical technician arrived.

The duo assessed the man’s leg but did not remove his sock.

They decided not to transfer him to hospital.

The next day, the man awoke with severe pain and a blue foot, and was admitted to hospital.

The man required two amputations to his leg.

Deputy health and disability commissioner Kevin Allan said the paramedic’s assessment of the man was incomplete and there were problems with the relationship between the two staff.

He also said the paramedic’s documentation fell below accepted standards.

The paramedic has since retired, and provided the man with a written apology.

Mr Allan recommended that should the paramedic return to work, he should arrange for more training on clinical procedures and managing interprofessional relationships.

He said the ambulance service, which was not named, needed to provide the commissioner evidence of training to its staff on conflict and communication breakdowns.