An investigation has been launched into the 999 response to the collapse of a mum-to-be who died at a coffee morning.
Eight-months-pregnant oil firm worker Amy Wilson’s unborn son Harry did not survive after she was taken ill surrounded by friends.
Her family want to know why not one of a pool of 11 first responders was available to go to her aid.
And there are also questions about the length of time it took an ambulance to reach the 31-year-old.
Health Secretary Alex Neil has now intervened and confirmed that both the Scottish Ambulance Service and NHS Grampian will review the way the emergency services dealt with the emergency call when Ms Wilson collapsed.
The cause of the mother-of-two’s death – who had been expecting her third child – is still unknown.
Ms Wilson, who worked as an accounts clerk at offshore firm Subsea 7’s Westhill base, was expecting her third child when she died at the event in Laurencekirk.
Her mother, Rita Wilson, contacted north-east Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone to raise her concerns over the time it took an ambulance to arrive and the lack of community first responders – who handle some medical emergencies in the initial stages.
The ambulance service said it took 15 minutes for the crews to arrive, although some people who were at the scene have claimed it took longer.
Laurencekirk is served by 11 volunteer first responders, but none was available to tend to Ms Wilson, who left behind her fiance Peter and two girls, Halle, 8, and Chloe, 2.
According to the ambulance service website, each community scheme aims to have an “on-call” rota with cover offered round the clock, seven days a week.
Last night, Mrs Wilson welcomed the new investigation.
She said: “We want something good to come from the investigation. If the investigation finds that anything needs to be improved, then that is a better outcome for everybody.”
A spokesman for the ambulance service said: “As part of the review of this case a senior manager met Mrs Wilson to explain the circumstances of the response and express in person our condolences for her loss.”
NHS Grampian said that clinicians earlier held talks with Mr Wilson’s family and would assist fully with the investigation.
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