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| South East Coast Ambulance Service buys second-hand ambulances | South East Coast Ambulance Service buys second-hand ambulances |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| An ambulance service that has been in special measures for two years has bought 30 extra second-hand ambulances. | An ambulance service that has been in special measures for two years has bought 30 extra second-hand ambulances. |
| South East Coast Ambulance (Secamb) was criticised following the death of a 91-year-old woman left lying on the floor for seven hours last winter. | South East Coast Ambulance (Secamb) was criticised following the death of a 91-year-old woman left lying on the floor for seven hours last winter. |
| Margaret Stemp and her 97-year-old sister were only helped when Sussex Police were called but Mrs Stemp died after another fall the following day. | Margaret Stemp and her 97-year-old sister were only helped when Sussex Police were called but Mrs Stemp died after another fall the following day. |
| Secamb said it had bought the vehicles to help deal with demand this winter. | Secamb said it had bought the vehicles to help deal with demand this winter. |
| It said it was introducing 101 new ambulances this financial year and the 30 older ones, bought from the West Midlands Ambulance Service, would be used for non-life threatening calls. | It said it was introducing 101 new ambulances this financial year and the 30 older ones, bought from the West Midlands Ambulance Service, would be used for non-life threatening calls. |
| The service was placed into special measures in 2016 and retained that status when inspectors ruled it had failed to improve sufficiently a year later. | The service was placed into special measures in 2016 and retained that status when inspectors ruled it had failed to improve sufficiently a year later. |
| The trust also came under fire when a report exposed a culture of bullying, toxic atmospheres and sexual grooming. | The trust also came under fire when a report exposed a culture of bullying, toxic atmospheres and sexual grooming. |
| 'Immediate measure' | 'Immediate measure' |
| At the inquest into Mrs Stemp's death West Sussex Coroner Penelope Schofield said there were "missed opportunities for medical intervention" and told Secamb she believed there was a "risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken". | At the inquest into Mrs Stemp's death West Sussex Coroner Penelope Schofield said there were "missed opportunities for medical intervention" and told Secamb she believed there was a "risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken". |
| A Secamb spokesman said: "We have co-operated with the coroner throughout this sad case and our thoughts are with Mrs Stemp's family. | A Secamb spokesman said: "We have co-operated with the coroner throughout this sad case and our thoughts are with Mrs Stemp's family. |
| "We had already carried out a thorough internal investigation, and implemented a number of recommendations arising from it." | "We had already carried out a thorough internal investigation, and implemented a number of recommendations arising from it." |
| He said the decision to buy the second-hand ambulances was made following the internal review, rather than the criticism at the inquest. | He said the decision to buy the second-hand ambulances was made following the internal review, rather than the criticism at the inquest. |
| Darren Mochrie, Secamb's chief executive, said: "As an immediate measure, we have purchased 30 second-hand ambulances so far this year to help us deal with the anticipated winter pressures," he said". | Darren Mochrie, Secamb's chief executive, said: "As an immediate measure, we have purchased 30 second-hand ambulances so far this year to help us deal with the anticipated winter pressures," he said". |
| Secamb said these ambulances would be used for non-life threatening calls to relieve pressure on the existing fleet, which could be directed to the most serious call-outs. | |
| "These are currently being converted with the aim of them being operational before Christmas," the spokesman said. | "These are currently being converted with the aim of them being operational before Christmas," the spokesman said. |
| Earlier this week, the East of England Ambulance Service, which has also been criticised for delays in responding to 999 calls, confirmed it had introduced a policy of asking ambulances to attend a second emergency on the way to hospital. | Earlier this week, the East of England Ambulance Service, which has also been criticised for delays in responding to 999 calls, confirmed it had introduced a policy of asking ambulances to attend a second emergency on the way to hospital. |
| No contact | No contact |
| The inquest into Mrs Stemp's death heard both sisters fell at about 16:00 GMT on 27 December, but waited seven hours after calling the ambulance before Sussex Police were called to help the two women. | The inquest into Mrs Stemp's death heard both sisters fell at about 16:00 GMT on 27 December, but waited seven hours after calling the ambulance before Sussex Police were called to help the two women. |
| Police then advised the ambulance service it should still visit, but the inquest heard the sisters had no contact with Secamb until 02:00 the following morning when received a welfare phone call. | Police then advised the ambulance service it should still visit, but the inquest heard the sisters had no contact with Secamb until 02:00 the following morning when received a welfare phone call. |
| Mrs Stemp's sister said the pair were in bed and needed no further assistance. Secamb then closed the call. | Mrs Stemp's sister said the pair were in bed and needed no further assistance. Secamb then closed the call. |
| Later that day a carer found both sisters had fallen again, and Mrs Stemp had died. Her sister was taken to hospital. | Later that day a carer found both sisters had fallen again, and Mrs Stemp had died. Her sister was taken to hospital. |
| Mr Mochrie said Secamb staff who took calls from the public had received more training and the procedure for standing down an ambulance had been changed. | Mr Mochrie said Secamb staff who took calls from the public had received more training and the procedure for standing down an ambulance had been changed. |
| He said another 300 ambulance crew members were also being recruited "in order to avoid this situation recurring in future periods of high demand". | He said another 300 ambulance crew members were also being recruited "in order to avoid this situation recurring in future periods of high demand". |