Aaron Morris' wife slams provider for failing to meet her

An inquest concluded motorcyclist Aaron Morris’ death, after he had to wait almost an hour for a paramedic to attend the scene of a crash, was attributed to ambulance service neglect.

It is “highly likely” he would still be here today if services had worked as they were supposed to the Coroner said.

Read the full story from court here

Speaking outside Crook Coroners’ Court on Friday (November 15) lunchtime after the conclusion of a week-long inquest Aaron’s wife Samantha said changes made by NEAS (the North East Ambulance Service) left her confident paramedics would attend if she called 999 again, but accused a third-party ambulance provider of lacking compassion for failing to meet with her after her husband’s death.

Samantha Morris speaks to reporters outside court. (Image: PAUL NORRIS)

“They have not been in attendance here since that offer was made on Wednesday of this week so the meeting has not taken place.

“It has been a difficult, emotional and exhausting week. I have listened to excuses and arguing over the minutes leading to Aaron’s death, particularly from Ambulnz, which has been draining.”

The mum of Aaron’s twins said: “I am disappointed that Ambulnz, the 3rd party provider, did not offer to sit down with me until this week to go through their lessons learnt.

Aaron Morris. (Image: Contributor) “That offer (to meet) is now off the table. For me, the way they have conducted themselves throughout this week has been unprofessional, and uncompassionate, and they have had two-and-a-half years to have a meeting with me. When they offered it this week they didn’t attend on Thursday when they were supposed to and now I haven’t got any interest in what they say.

(Image: PAUL NORRIS)

“I can’t describe how a healthcare provision can have such an uncompassionate view on such a serious incident.

Sam with her and Aaron's twins. (Image: Contributor) “I had no clue it was a third-party company until the serious incident report and it could be the fact it is private and money funded, and they want to make money and all they were bothered about in that inquest wasn’t about making changes it was about protecting themselves.”

The only ambulance to attend Aaron in Esh Winning on July 1, 2022, was operated by Ambulnz, a third-party provider.

A spokesperson said: "From the outset we have taken the view that there are lessons to be learned for all of the emergency services involved in this sad case. The concerns that we as an organisation identified and actioned have been found by the Coroner not to have caused or contributed to Mr Morris' death, however we remain deeply saddened by the tragic circumstances of his loss. We send our sincere condolences to Mr Morris' family and friends."

The Northern Echo revealed earlier this year that NEAS is spending millions paying private firms to attend incidents on its behalf. In 2022/23 it spent more than £15.4m on third-party providers, spiralling from just £1.3m five years ago.

(Image: PAUL NORRIS) But Samantha added: “After hearing the evidence from Dr Noble, Medical Director for NEAS, on preventing future deaths, I would feel confident dialling 999 and requesting a North East Ambulance which I never thought I would say.

“NEAS has done everything they can but now the Government need to back them. The Government need to make sure they’ve got the funding to keep the trauma desk going ahead and all of these extra members of staff but it's also the public not misusing the ambulance service so the resources are going to the correct people.

(Image: PAUL NORRIS)

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“[NEAS] haven’t needed to be told that they were neglectful, they knew they were neglectful.

“They’ve been compassionate and proactive and done everything they possibly can to hopefully prevent this ever happening again. If I can feel confident in that after what I’ve been through and my husband being the reason why they’ve made the changes I hope everyone else can feel the same.”

Dr Noble said: “There were a number of other actions arising from the review of this incident that we have taken forward to improve the coordination of our response and we fully accept the coroner’s findings and conclusion.”

Laura Gabbey-Cristofini, specialist Fatal Accident Solicitor at Irwin Mitchell representing Aaron’s family, said: “The last couple of years and trying to come to terms with Aaron’s tragic death has been incredibly difficult for Samantha. Her pain has been compounded by the many unanswered questions and concerns she had regarding the events that unfolded.

“While nothing can make up for what Aaron’s family have gone through and continue to face, we’re pleased that the Inquest has provided some answers and it is very clear that lessons have been learnt and changes have already been made so that other families do not have to face the unbearable loss Samantha has.

“We continue to support Samantha and the rest of Aaron’s family at this emotional time.”