AN investigation was launched today into complaints that hospital treatment for Anthony Farnell was delayed following an ambulance blunder.
The 25-year-old fighter felt numbness in his legs after losing his WBU title to Eugenio Monteiro at the MEN Arena on Saturday night.
A decision was made to take him to Hope Hospital, Salford, in the on-site ambulance - but the driver did not know the way.
Farnell's father, Gary, who was with him in the ambulance, was stunned when he realised what was happening.
He said: "We were in the ambulance for 10 minutes driving around Manchester city centre. I asked the driver what was going on and he said we were trying to get to Hope Hospital. He then asked if I knew the way."
Mr Farnell said it came down to him to make the decision to instead go to North Manchester General Hospital in Crumpsall.
But that was not the end of the drama.
Mr Farnell said: "We were going through Manchester centre and I asked the driver to put on his siren so we could get through the traffic. Then he asked me if I knew where the switch was." The ambulance was then stopped by police for going through a red traffic light without the flashing warning lights on.
The ambulance eventually arrived at North Manchester General Hospital - an estimated 20 minutes after it had left the MEN Arena - where the boxer was treated for concussion.
Farnell's father has pledged to take his complaints right to the top. He stormed: "I'm not doing this just for Anthony, it's as much for other boxers. This could have been life threatening.
"The ambulance should have had a fully-staffed competent crew. At the end of the day we were very fortunate Anthony's condition was not more serious, but on another occasion we might not have been so lucky."
Michael Watson, it will be remembered, suffered brain damage due to delays getting him appropriate medical attention after his stoppage loss to Chris Eubank in 1992.
A spokesman for event promoter Sports Network confirmed it had booked the ambulance, which was provided by a contract service. He said: "We booked it in accordance with guidelines set by the British Board of Control.
"We are going to ask for a report from the ambulance company. In the past the people we use have been exceptional, but if there has been a problem action will be taken."
Breaking news: scandal of Farnell ambulance journey
Breaking news: scandal of Farnell ambulance journey
Last edited by bennie on 14 Jun 2004, 12:34, edited 1 time in total.
Generally Ambulance drivers do a great job under at times horrible circumstances.
But if this report is true then it's inexcusable and a full investigation needs to be caried out straight away, Farnell could have been seriously hurt by this 'cock up'.
This cannot be allowed to happen again, the next fighter may not be so lucky.
But if this report is true then it's inexcusable and a full investigation needs to be caried out straight away, Farnell could have been seriously hurt by this 'cock up'.
This cannot be allowed to happen again, the next fighter may not be so lucky.
Regrettably, I work for the NHS. Never let anyone tell you doctors and nurses, etc, are underpaid. They're on a small fortune believe me. There's also an army of "look busy" people knocking around. You know, those walking around with a piece of paper in their hands...and a worried look.silkov wrote:Seems like a sick joke that they were trying to get to 'hope' hospital. I have to say that I've encountered an ambulance crew recently when my dad was knocked off his motorbike and to say that they were a bit clueless is being generous!..... they were appalling!!!........
....Yeah, worried that they might have to do a bit of work!!!...... :xbennie wrote:Regrettably, I work for the NHS. Never let anyone tell you doctors and nurses, etc, are underpaid. They're on a small fortune believe me. There's also an army of "look busy" people knocking around. You know, those walking around with a piece of paper in their hands...and a worried look.silkov wrote:Seems like a sick joke that they were trying to get to 'hope' hospital. I have to say that I've encountered an ambulance crew recently when my dad was knocked off his motorbike and to say that they were a bit clueless is being generous!..... they were appalling!!!........
8)Re: Breaking news: scandal of Farnell ambulance journey
This is scary..bennie wrote:AN investigation was launched today into complaints that hospital treatment for Anthony Farnell was delayed following an ambulance blunder.
The 25-year-old fighter felt numbness in his legs after losing his WBU title to Eugenio Monteiro at the MEN Arena on Saturday night.
A decision was made to take him to Hope Hospital, Salford, in the on-site ambulance - but the driver did not know the way.
Farnell's father, Gary, who was with him in the ambulance, was stunned when he realised what was happening.
He said: "We were in the ambulance for 10 minutes driving around Manchester city centre. I asked the driver what was going on and he said we were trying to get to Hope Hospital. He then asked if I knew the way."
Mr Farnell said it came down to him to make the decision to instead go to North Manchester General Hospital in Crumpsall.
But that was not the end of the drama.
Mr Farnell said: "We were going through Manchester centre and I asked the driver to put on his siren so we could get through the traffic. Then he asked me if I knew where the switch was." The ambulance was then stopped by police for going through a red traffic light without the flashing warning lights on.
The ambulance eventually arrived at North Manchester General Hospital - an estimated 20 minutes after it had left the MEN Arena - where the boxer was treated for concussion.
Farnell's father has pledged to take his complaints right to the top. He stormed: "I'm not doing this just for Anthony, it's as much for other boxers. This could have been life threatening.
"The ambulance should have had a fully-staffed competent crew. At the end of the day we were very fortunate Anthony's condition was not more serious, but on another occasion we might not have been so lucky."
Michael Watson, it will be remembered, suffered brain damage due to delays getting him appropriate medical attention after his stoppage loss to Chris Eubank in 1992.
A spokesman for event promoter Sports Network confirmed it had booked the ambulance, which was provided by a contract service. He said: "We booked it in accordance with guidelines set by the British Board of Control.
"We are going to ask for a report from the ambulance company. In the past the people we use have been exceptional, but if there has been a problem action will be taken."
I think you may all be a bit quick jumping on the NHS on this.
Private ambulance businesses are making a fortune at the moment covering sporting/entertainment events and in some busy areas even doing some A&E pick-ups. The problem lies with the training of the private 'paramedics'.
NHS ambulance men are all trained to at the very least IHDC Technician standard, these private bods usually aren't.
In a lot of cases, I will allege that you're essentially hiring a mini-cab driver with a fancy taxi (in the Farnell case it would appear the driver did not share the local knowledge of the excellent Manchester cabbies though).
The government aren't giving the NHS enough money, plus, they are too weak and in my opinion easily corruptable when it comes to allowing competition from the private sector with regard to health care (and many other things). If the millions of pounds they dole out to help various third world countries around the world every day (not to mention the cash that dissapears to Brussels) got ploughed into the NHS instead, there'd be no need for these sub-standard privateers.
Private ambulance businesses are making a fortune at the moment covering sporting/entertainment events and in some busy areas even doing some A&E pick-ups. The problem lies with the training of the private 'paramedics'.
NHS ambulance men are all trained to at the very least IHDC Technician standard, these private bods usually aren't.
In a lot of cases, I will allege that you're essentially hiring a mini-cab driver with a fancy taxi (in the Farnell case it would appear the driver did not share the local knowledge of the excellent Manchester cabbies though).
The government aren't giving the NHS enough money, plus, they are too weak and in my opinion easily corruptable when it comes to allowing competition from the private sector with regard to health care (and many other things). If the millions of pounds they dole out to help various third world countries around the world every day (not to mention the cash that dissapears to Brussels) got ploughed into the NHS instead, there'd be no need for these sub-standard privateers.
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mickeybeard
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 488
- Joined: 31 Jan 2004, 09:05
bennie wrote:Regrettably, I work for the NHS. Never let anyone tell you doctors and nurses, etc, are underpaid. They're on a small fortune believe me. There's also an army of "look busy" people knocking around. You know, those walking around with a piece of paper in their hands...and a worried look.
Did that not make anyone else chuckle?Regrettably, I work for the NHS.
What, like that Ben bloke who sits in the corner? Sure, he's tapping away at the keyboard all day, but I've never seen him produce any work...There's also an army of "look busy" people knocking around.
People phone up having a suspected heart attack and I'm writing about a six-rounder in Barnsley next week. But, hey, I do care a little.mickeybeard wrote:bennie wrote:Regrettably, I work for the NHS. Never let anyone tell you doctors and nurses, etc, are underpaid. They're on a small fortune believe me. There's also an army of "look busy" people knocking around. You know, those walking around with a piece of paper in their hands...and a worried look.
Regrettably, I work for the NHS.What, like that Ben bloke who sits in the corner? Sure, he's tapping away at the keyboard all day, but I've never seen him produce any work...There's also an army of "look busy" people knocking around.
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DIRT SUGAR
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 1200
- Joined: 29 Aug 2003, 11:48
Although this situation does sound bad and I'd be furious if I was FW. We're getting more and more like the States.
However, if Farnell had collapsed due to a subdural haematoma or some other serious head injury, doesn't one of the Board officials at ringside contact the nearest neurological unit to tell them of an incoming casualty from a boxing match. Something to do with the 'golden hour', whereby the injured fighter should be sedated, on oxygen and on the operating table within an hour of collapsing.
Maybe not a bad idea for a boxer's trainer to know where one of his fighters will be going in the unlikely event he is badly injured.
However, if Farnell had collapsed due to a subdural haematoma or some other serious head injury, doesn't one of the Board officials at ringside contact the nearest neurological unit to tell them of an incoming casualty from a boxing match. Something to do with the 'golden hour', whereby the injured fighter should be sedated, on oxygen and on the operating table within an hour of collapsing.
Maybe not a bad idea for a boxer's trainer to know where one of his fighters will be going in the unlikely event he is badly injured.
In my job I come into regular contact with NHS workers and most of them do earn a very very good living.bennie wrote: Regrettably, I work for the NHS. Never let anyone tell you doctors and nurses, etc, are underpaid. They're on a small fortune believe me.
Wether they are worth the money is another question all together, some are some are not like most jobs I suppose.