‘Loved father’, 49, dies after feeling short of breath following trip to the shops – Wales Online
A fit and healthy 49-year-old father, Paul Furness, tragically passed away following a cardiac arrest after returning home from a trip to the shops in Ystrad Mynach. Paul, who lived with his wife and their 14-year-old daughter, experienced shortness of breath and chest pains upon his return home. His family believes that if an ambulance had arrived promptly, he might have had a better chance of survival.
Paul, a chef who was off work that day, started feeling unwell on the evening of June 6 last year. His mother, Elaine, received a call from Paul’s daughter, who suspected he was having a heart attack. Elaine rushed to their home from Cardiff and placed a call to the ambulance service, who classified the situation as “Amber one,” indicating a life-threatening emergency.
Despite the urgency of the situation, no ambulance arrived at their home, prompting Elaine to make the decision to take Paul to the nearest hospital herself. They headed to Ystrad Mynach minor injuries unit, where it was confirmed that Paul was indeed having a heart attack. Plans were made to transfer him to the Grange Hospital in Cwmbran to see a cardiac specialist.
Tragically, before he could be transferred, Paul went into cardiac arrest and passed away shortly after midnight. The ambulance that was called by the minor injuries unit arrived after Paul had already passed. Elaine, devastated by the loss of her son, expressed her disbelief that no ambulance had reached them in time, given the severity of Paul’s condition.
The Welsh Ambulance Service utilises a prioritisation system for emergency calls, with “Red” indicating immediate life-threatening situations and “Amber one” representing life-threatening emergencies. Despite Elaine’s repeated calls, the delay in receiving medical assistance has left the family grappling with what could have been done differently to save Paul.
The ambulance service confirmed that they received a call from Elaine at 7:29 pm on the night of the incident. However, due to her indication that Paul was conscious and breathing, the initial response unit was stood down. Subsequent calls from Elaine led to the cancellation of the ambulance request, with her opting to transport Paul to the hospital herself.
The distressing ordeal faced by the Furness family sheds light on the challenges and pressures facing the Welsh Ambulance Service. With record levels of emergency calls and increased waiting times outside A&E departments, the healthcare system is under immense strain. The family hopes that by sharing their story, they can raise awareness about the importance of prompt and efficient emergency medical care.
Through their grief, Elaine and her family pay tribute to Paul, describing him as a healthy, hardworking, and beloved son, father, and partner. The Welsh Ambulance Service has extended its sincerest apologies to the Furness family and acknowledges the need for improved services and responses in such critical situations. As they navigate this heartbreaking loss, the family remains determined to honour Paul’s memory and seek answers for the circumstances surrounding his passing.