Paramedic dismissed after brief visit leaves elderly man paralysed

A paramedic has been dismissed after a brief nine-minute visit to an elderly man who later became permanently paralysed from a fall.

Raymond Byron responded to a 999 call where an elderly man had reportedly sustained a minor head injury. Byron assisted the man back into bed and departed shortly after, without conducting a full set of tests.

Subsequent examination revealed the patient had fractured his spine, resulting in permanent paralysis. A second team of paramedics, who visited later, took him to hospital after growing concerned about his condition.

Byron admitted to failing to concentrate and forgetting to bring essential equipment from the ambulance. He received a 12-month suspension following the incident.

A review by the Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service decided to remove Byron from the medical register. The tribunal noted that Byron had worked for West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust from April 1992 until his retirement on health grounds in 2018.

Byron was on a solo night shift when he responded to the emergency call on January 4, 2018. The 89 year old man had fallen during the night, sustaining a minor head injury.

According to a panel report, Byron lifted the patient from the floor, placed him in bed, and left the scene. Records show he arrived at 3.17am and departed at 3.26am.

Two other paramedics later visited the patient, noting he was unable to stand and had a head wound, which Byron had described as a carpet burn. The patient’s condition worsened en route to the hospital, prompting the ambulance to halt and request additional support.

Medical staff later discovered the elderly man had a displaced cervical spine fracture. He was hospitalised for several months due to permanent paralysis.

In August 2023, a hearing revealed Byron had failed to document his visit, breaching trust policies. The tribunal heard that an electronic patient record (EPR) was required for all incidents, which Byron did not complete.

Byron admitted to a manager that he did not take any equipment into the patient’s home. In a general report, Byron stated the patient declined further checks, adding that he should have completed the paperwork but failed to do so after leaving the home.

During an interview with the trust on January 24, Byron explained he forgot about the EPR until he returned to his car, and chose not to go back as the patient had gone back to bed. He admitted he should have taken all equipment and completed a full set of observations.

Byron, described as a conscientious and caring paramedic by a colleague, acknowledged he was aware of trust policies and had received relevant training in October 2017. The tribunal found he did not perform the necessary observations and investigations.

The tribunal stated Byron seemed to lack responsibility and understanding of the seriousness of his actions. The panel concluded that the patient could not give informed consent due to the lack of required investigations by Byron.

The panel found Byron’s conduct fell significantly short of expectations and would be considered deplorable by fellow practitioners, amounting to misconduct. Allegations against Byron were proven, including inadequate record-keeping and not acting in the patient’s best interests by taking him to the hospital.

His fitness to practise was deemed impaired, leading to a suspension order on August 11, 2023.

At a hearing in August 2024, the panel noted Byron had not provided evidence to show his fitness to practise had improved. The panel deemed further suspension pointless as Byron had not engaged or shown a desire to address his failings.