A&E and ambulance delays may have affected father after 15-hour wait

A 28-year-old father waited about 15 hours between his 999 call and imaging at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and died ten days later; NHS Lothian apologised for the wait and the Scottish Ambulance Service offered sympathies and asked the family to engage with its Patient Experience Team.

A 28-year-old man, Dylan Jones, was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on December 10 after calling 999 with severe pain. He had a known diagnosis of liver cirrhosis and a genetic condition called Jeune Syndrome. Family members say he waited many hours for ambulance arrival and for imaging in A&E before surgery. He died on December 20 after ten days in intensive care and multiple interventions. Known details: - The family say the ambulance took about two hours to arrive and that Mr Jones then waited on a trolley in A&E for around 13 hours before receiving an MRI. - Medical records reported the cause of death as liver failure, a ruptured spleen, and Jeune Syndrome. - The family believe the length of the wait contributed to his deterioration and have set up a fundraiser to support his children and funeral costs. - NHS Lothian apologised for the length of the A&E wait, offered condolences, and invited the family to discuss any concerns about his care directly with the health board. - The Scottish Ambulance Service expressed its sympathies and said it would welcome contact from the family’s representatives through its Patient Experience Team. Summary: NHS Lothian has apologised for the reported wait and both the health board and the ambulance service have invited the family to discuss the case with them. Whether a formal review or investigation has been opened is undetermined at this time.