NHS 111 Service Admits Fault in Baby's Death After Failed Ambulance Dispatch

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A private call handling firm, Care UK, has acknowledged its error in not dispatching an ambulance for two-month-old Ben Condon, who later died from a respiratory illness. The inquest, which opened on February 3, 2025, revealed that the call handler misrecorded vital information, leading to a referral for a GP appointment instead of immediate emergency assistance. According to assistant coroner Robert Sowersby, the decision was influenced by “cognitive bias” stemming from pressures on the ambulance service.

Ben, who was born prematurely, fell ill shortly after being discharged from the hospital. His father, Allyn Condon, contacted the NHS 111 service on April 10, 2015, but received no follow-up from a GP before feeling compelled to take Ben to the hospital himself. The inquest revealed that had the handler correctly assessed Ben's condition, an ambulance would have been dispatched. Care UK has since apologized to the Condon family, stating it will implement necessary changes to prevent future incidents.

The inquest will continue to explore the factors leading to Ben's tragic death.

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