Teenager’s death linked to national IT system, review suggests
The 999 assessment and triage system is being reviewed after the death of a young footballer, which may have highlighted a recurring flaw in the tool.
Adam Ankers collapsed as he came off the pitch after playing for Wycombe Wanderers’ under-19s team in January. He was airlifted to the Harefield Hospital in London but was brain dead and a few days later his family agreed to his life support being turned off.
The talented youngster was found to have an inherited heart condition, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. This and other inherited heart conditions are thought to be responsible for at least 600 sudden deaths a year in teenagers and young adults.
But a serious incident investigation into Adam’s death by South Central Ambulance Service Foundation Trust, shared with HSJ by Adam’s dad, revealed there was a potential missed opportunity to start life support earlier because “agonal breathing” — which is indicative of a cardiac arrest — was not identified.
Source: HSJ, 28 October 2024