Paramedic who failed to care for patient struck off (From The Argus)

Paramedic who failed to care for patient struck off

7:00am Saturday 19th January 2013 in News By Anna Roberts, Crime reporter

A paramedic who failed to properly care for a seriously ill patient has been banned from the profession.

Colin Jackman was sent from his base in Lewes to the home of a patient during an emergency but didn't bother to turn on his ambulance's blue lights and sirens on the way.

Once he had got to the address he failed to assess the patient, who was suffering from severe back pain and breathing problems.

He also ignored necessary medical forms and did not refer the patient to any other healthcare professional for treatment.

Now a Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) panel has banned South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) response operations manager from acting as a paramedic.

Chairwoman of the HCPC panel Sarah Baalham said: “Mr Jackman's failures were deliberate and amounted to serious lapses in the standards to be expected of a paramedic.

“He breached the standards of conduct, performance and ethics.

“Mr Jackman caused a seri¬ous risk to this service user.

“His treatment would be likely to seriously undermine public confidence in the profession.”

The incident came to light after the patient complained and bosses accused Mr Jack¬man of misconduct.

When contacted by The Argus Mr Jackman, of Willingdon, Eastbourne, refused to comment.

His mother confirmed that he had worked training paramedics in Lewes but had since left the ambulance service.

A SECAmb spokesman said: “Mr Jackman has not been employed by SECAmb since June 2011.

“We carried out our own investigation and referred the matter to the HCPC. We take the safety of our patients extremely seriously and have cooperated fully with the HCPC including giving evidence at the hearing.”