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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| NHS 24 helpline sued over death | NHS 24 helpline sued over death |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A woman is suing the NHS 24 helpline service for £750,000 in damages over the death of her partner. | A woman is suing the NHS 24 helpline service for £750,000 in damages over the death of her partner. |
| Father-of-two Steven Wiseman died in December 2004 at the age of 30 after complaining of flu-like symptoms. | Father-of-two Steven Wiseman died in December 2004 at the age of 30 after complaining of flu-like symptoms. |
| His partner Kerry Robertson, from Laurencekirk in Aberdeenshire, is now seeking compensation. | His partner Kerry Robertson, from Laurencekirk in Aberdeenshire, is now seeking compensation. |
| It is thought to be the first time legal action has been taken against NHS 24, which said the service had improved since Mr Wiseman's death. | It is thought to be the first time legal action has been taken against NHS 24, which said the service had improved since Mr Wiseman's death. |
| NHS 24 said it had been in contact with Ms Robertson's legal team but could not comment further on the action as it was now a matter of legal process. | NHS 24 said it had been in contact with Ms Robertson's legal team but could not comment further on the action as it was now a matter of legal process. |
| Toxic shock | Toxic shock |
| Ms Robertson called NHS 24 about Mr Wiseman three times over three days before his death. | Ms Robertson called NHS 24 about Mr Wiseman three times over three days before his death. |
| She said she was told that it sounded like he had flu. | She said she was told that it sounded like he had flu. |
| At one point Mr Wiseman had to crawl in pain from his sickbed to answer questions over the phone. | At one point Mr Wiseman had to crawl in pain from his sickbed to answer questions over the phone. |
| He later died in hospital from toxic shock. | He later died in hospital from toxic shock. |
| It's just the fact that we haven't had an acknowledgement from NHS 24 to say that they were in the right or the wrong Kerry Robertson | It's just the fact that we haven't had an acknowledgement from NHS 24 to say that they were in the right or the wrong Kerry Robertson |
| Ms Robertson was one of the people to give evidence at a lengthy joint fatal accident inquiry in Aberdeen, which also examined the death of Aberdeen teenager Shomi Miah. | Ms Robertson was one of the people to give evidence at a lengthy joint fatal accident inquiry in Aberdeen, which also examined the death of Aberdeen teenager Shomi Miah. |
| The 17-year-old had been told by nurse advisers to take paracetamol for flu-like symptoms, but later died from meningitis. | The 17-year-old had been told by nurse advisers to take paracetamol for flu-like symptoms, but later died from meningitis. |
| Sheriff James Tierney said the system had failed Mr Wiseman and Ms Miah by not identifying their life-threatening conditions. | Sheriff James Tierney said the system had failed Mr Wiseman and Ms Miah by not identifying their life-threatening conditions. |
| Ms Robertson told BBC Scotland: "Money's not important although it's going to help the kids. | Ms Robertson told BBC Scotland: "Money's not important although it's going to help the kids. |
| "It's just the fact that we haven't had an acknowledgement from NHS 24 to say that they were in the right or the wrong and we've had no apologies. | "It's just the fact that we haven't had an acknowledgement from NHS 24 to say that they were in the right or the wrong and we've had no apologies. |
| "And they've stated that they don't want to make an apology because they think that they haven't done anything wrong." | "And they've stated that they don't want to make an apology because they think that they haven't done anything wrong." |
| Next move | Next move |
| An NHS 24 spokeswoman said: "NHS 24 has been in correspondence with Miss Robertson's legal team and as this is now a matter for legal process we are unable to comment further at this time." | |
| Ms Miah's family is also said to be considering legal action. | Ms Miah's family is also said to be considering legal action. |
| Her brother, Khalis, 29, said: "We are talking to our lawyers and discussing our next move. | Her brother, Khalis, 29, said: "We are talking to our lawyers and discussing our next move. |
| "We've tried to approach NHS 24, but they're not responding. It's absolutely disappointing." | "We've tried to approach NHS 24, but they're not responding. It's absolutely disappointing." |