Family links parked cars to ambulance delay in fatal cardiac arrest case

The relatives of a woman who passed away following a cardiac arrest state that local residents were compelled to relocate a parked vehicle to enable an ambulance to reach their street. Philomena Donnelly experienced the cardiac arrest at her residence in west Belfast during August, succumbing to it five days subsequent. An ambulance reached her location within 11 minutes, a timeframe that falls within the target for a category one incident like a cardiac arrest; however, Mrs Donnelly’s husband, Damien, informed BBC News NI that its entry to the road was initially obstructed. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) stated its inability to comment on specific cases, yet conveyed condolences to the Donnelly family and affirmed its intention to communicate directly with them regarding any inquiries. The service indicated that ambulance crews may encounter various challenges capable of influencing response times. “These can include (but are not restricted to) traffic congestion, road closures, poor weather conditions, pedestrian activity, lack of house numbers etc,” it added. Mr Donnelly reported that paramedics informed him that thoroughfares in Turf Lodge frequently experienced obstructions for all emergency services. The family now seeks to heighten public awareness regarding parking difficulties within their locality. Mr Donnelly informed BBC News NI that he administered CPR while awaiting the ambulance and could discern sirens in the background. “That noise seemed to last for a lot longer than what I would have expected,” he said. Mr Donnelly stated that entry to the street was “impossible” because of vehicles parked on both sides of the thoroughfare. He mentioned that neighbours were required to move a car for the ambulance to proceed along the street. “They’re stopping to wait for someone to move a car,” he said. “If the ambulance had a straight run, it would have got here quicker.” The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) announced its intention to inspect the area and implement modifications falling within its jurisdiction. The couple’s daughter, Aimee, expressed that certain questions remained unresolved. “My mummy was in cardiac arrest, and every second counts,” she said. “If the paramedics were able to get there even 20 seconds earlier, would the outcome have been different? It’s the same question over and over. And we’ll never get the answer to it.” “I do believe it made a difference. This isn’t about blame, this is about raising awareness of where to park.” Paul Doherty, the Social Democratic and Labour Party councillor representing the district, has been endeavoring to publicize these concerns. “Residents in Turf Lodge have been plagued for decades with issues around parking and congestion. The infrastructure is outdated and the roads are not fit for purpose,” he said. “We can’t have a situation where emergency services, be it an ambulance, be it a fire service, can’t get into this area to attend to people who are at real risk.” The Donnelly family has sought meetings with the DfI, Housing Executive, and Belfast City Council to deliberate on practical solutions, including the implementation of double yellow lines. The DfI confirmed receipt of the councillor’s request for a site inspection and additionally urged drivers to exercise consideration when parking. This development coincides with the launch in October of a new pilot scheme by Belfast City Council, designed to curb improper parking in south and east Belfast, where motorists may incur fines and potential prosecution for such infractions. The Donnelly family reported that parking also presented a challenge when the funeral company transported Philomena home. Mr Donnelly stated that the vehicle was unable to navigate the corner. “Aimee had to go up the street and find who owned the car that was parked while Philomena was in the back of the funeral director’s car, waiting to come home to rest,” he said. On the morning of the funeral, the family indicated they were obliged to knock on doors to request vehicles be moved, “just for that bit of dignity at the end”. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service stated: “We would like to thank the public for their consideration and support when encountering ambulance crews who are responding under emergency conditions ie blue lights and sirens.” “In such circumstances, time is of the utmost importance but equally, the safety of our staff and all road users is paramount.”