This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-33870434
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Bristol meningitis victim 'died after six-hour ambulance wait' | Bristol meningitis victim 'died after six-hour ambulance wait' |
| (2 days later) | |
| A man died from meningitis after waiting six hours for an ambulance and being told he had "man flu", an inquest has heard. | A man died from meningitis after waiting six hours for an ambulance and being told he had "man flu", an inquest has heard. |
| Mthuthuzeli Mpongwana died two days after a paramedic initially said he did not need hospital treatment. | Mthuthuzeli Mpongwana died two days after a paramedic initially said he did not need hospital treatment. |
| His wife Lisa Armitage, of Bristol, said she believed Dana Noriega thought her call had been "a waste of time". | His wife Lisa Armitage, of Bristol, said she believed Dana Noriega thought her call had been "a waste of time". |
| Avon Coroner's Court heard Mr Noriega had been told there were no ambulances available. | Avon Coroner's Court heard Mr Noriega had been told there were no ambulances available. |
| Ms Armitage, from Bedminster, called 111 for advice at 2230 on 5 January and was told to wait for a rapid response vehicle as Mr Mpongwana could have meningitis, the hearing was told. | Ms Armitage, from Bedminster, called 111 for advice at 2230 on 5 January and was told to wait for a rapid response vehicle as Mr Mpongwana could have meningitis, the hearing was told. |
| But when Mr Noriega finally arrived at 01:17 he downgraded Mr Mpongwana's case, having been told South Western Ambulance Service was "too busy". | But when Mr Noriega finally arrived at 01:17 he downgraded Mr Mpongwana's case, having been told South Western Ambulance Service was "too busy". |
| Symptoms 'red flags' | Symptoms 'red flags' |
| As a result, a high-priority ambulance was not then requested until 0350, after Mr Mpongwana's condition deteriorated. A post-mortem examination later confirmed he was suffering from acute bacterial meningitis. | |
| Mr Noriega had previously given Mr Mpongwana first paracetamol, then later penicillin and initially believed his condition had improved. | Mr Noriega had previously given Mr Mpongwana first paracetamol, then later penicillin and initially believed his condition had improved. |
| But, Ms Armitage told the hearing she had been asking Mr Noriega to call an ambulance but said he "didn't seem concerned about my husband". | But, Ms Armitage told the hearing she had been asking Mr Noriega to call an ambulance but said he "didn't seem concerned about my husband". |
| "I was getting increasingly agitated and frustrated that it was taking so long for the ambulance to arrive," she told the hearing. | "I was getting increasingly agitated and frustrated that it was taking so long for the ambulance to arrive," she told the hearing. |
| Mr Noriega, who no longer works for South Western Ambulance Service, said Mr Mpongwana's symptoms - a severe headache, stiff neck and difficulty looking at light - were "red flags" for meningitis and accepted he should have been taken straight to hospital. | Mr Noriega, who no longer works for South Western Ambulance Service, said Mr Mpongwana's symptoms - a severe headache, stiff neck and difficulty looking at light - were "red flags" for meningitis and accepted he should have been taken straight to hospital. |
| But, the paramedic said he had been "exhausted" after working over the busy Christmas and New Year period. | But, the paramedic said he had been "exhausted" after working over the busy Christmas and New Year period. |
| "I said I didn't want them to be stuck in a hotel corridor if it was flu or something like that," he said. | "I said I didn't want them to be stuck in a hotel corridor if it was flu or something like that," he said. |
| "I didn't use the term meningitis, so as not to worry them." | "I didn't use the term meningitis, so as not to worry them." |
| The inquest continues. | The inquest continues. |