999 call refusal ‘A major breakdown in procedure’

A paramedic has been suspended after refusing to answer a 999 call to help a dying baby in Stirlingshire. This came after BT had already incorrectly routed the emergency call to England.

Scottish Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health, Murdo Fraser MSP, said:

"There has clearly been a major breakdown in procedure to let this incident occur, firstly from BT but then more worryingly from the paramedic asked to accept the 999 call. When people in distress phone for an emergency service they expect and require assistance as soon as possible, and when this is not provided questions have to be asked.

"The least we should expect is that emergency calls when made are connected to the right area. We now need assurances from the Scottish Ambulance Service that there will be no repetition of these events."

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