Heartbreaking news out of Wales – Charlotte Burston, a loving mum of two, tragically passed away on New Year’s Eve back in 2023 after suffering a heart attack on Christmas Day. An inquest revealed that critical opportunities were missed by the ambulance service that may have saved her life.
Charlotte’s 999 call was marked as “amber one” – a life-threat but not requiring instant response. Instead of dispatching the nearby Advanced Paramedic Practitioner (APP) – who could’ve been there in under half an hour – they chose an emergency ambulance with over a 45-minute ETA. It ended up being cancelled when Charlotte’s stepfather decided to drive her to the hospital himself.
Sadly, Charlotte suffered a cardiac arrest enroute and never regained consciousness, passing away six days later due to a hypoxic brain injury. Her family remembers her as bubbly, kind, and empathetic, a beautician by trade who touched the lives of those around her.
A consultant in emergency medicine suggested that had the APP been sent as initially planned, Charlotte might have received the life-saving treatment she so desperately needed in time. Every second counts in a medical emergency, and this oversight raises serious questions.
Coroner Mark Layton noted that Charlotte’s death could have been prevented if her call had been managed differently. The Welsh Ambulance Service has acknowledged these “missed opportunities” and stated changes have been made since this tragedy.
Let this be a reminder of the critical importance of swift and accurate emergency response. Our thoughts are with Charlotte’s family during this difficult time.