TYSON Woodman has been left writhing in agony for almost three hours on Sunday morning as his family frantically tried to have the Triple-0 call centre despatch an ambulance.
Grandmother Verneece said a scoliosis attack had left Tyson unable to move his arms and feet.
Frantic calls from his aunt’s home in Borung to Triple-OOO went without ambulance crews in nearby Wedderburn, Charlton or Inglewood being alerted.
“Just under three hours later, a taxi arrived to take Tyson to Bendigo hospital,” Verneece said on Tuesday as the Korong Vale youngster who survived a near-fatal asthma attack on New Year’s Day 2023 confronts a new battle.
Verneece said that because of Tyson’s spinal complaint, family members did not want to move him.
“We were told no ambulance was available, we’ll ring you back in an hour, as Tyson was at his aunt’s place in Borung,” she said.
“My daughter Tracy kept trying to ask for an ambulance. Next we knew a taxi turned up, took him to Bendigo and left him at the hospital.
“Luckily there was no nerve damage and he is now on painkillers, having heat therapy and will start more rehab.”
Verneece said she had been left distressed by the Triple-0 call centre experience. “I just felt the attitude of the call takers was disgusting. It should have been handled so differently and Tyson not put into a taxi, risking further back injury.”
Ambulance Victoria Loddon Mallee director regional and clinical operations Matt McCrohan said: “Ambulance Victoria works to provide the best care for every patient, and we understand that waiting for an ambulance can be frustrating in non-life-threatening cases.
“Emergency ambulances are allocated based on clinical need and the information provided by the caller, with priority given to the sickest patients, particularly those with life-threatening conditions such as cardiac arrest and stroke.
“In some instances, paramedics or registered nurses in our Secondary Triage team will find alternative transport or treatment options for people who do not need an emergency ambulance.”
Verneece she was disappointed a local ambulance crew was not called. “We know only too well how great they are. Triple-0 didn’t even let them know on Sunday.”