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Paramedic: Don’t bother resuscitating 30-stone man
Sophie Goodchild, Health and Social Affairs Correspondent25 Feb 2010
A paramedic refused to resuscitate a patient he had been called out to treat and then told a series of lies to cover his tracks, a court heard today.
Karl Harris, 45, told his less-experienced colleague there was “no point” trying to resuscitate 30-stone Barry Baker after they were sent to his home in Brighton, a jury was told.
Mr Baker, 59, who lived alone, phoned 999 after experiencing breathing difficulties, and died after suffering a cardiopulmonary arrest.
Opening the prosecution case at Lewes crown court, Richard Barton said that, unknown to Harris and trainee technician Ben Stokes, the operator stayed on the line after they arrived at the house.
The jury was played the 999 call, in which Harris and Mr Stokes, 35, were heard arriving. Minutes later a loud thump was audible, which Mr Barton said was Mr Baker falling.
Harris could not be heard, but Mr Barton told the court he said: “He's dead. There's no point [resuscitating him]. I've seen this before. It's not a viable resuscitation. Don't bother.”
Jurors then heard the call Harris made to police, in which he said Mr Baker was already collapsed when they arrived. “There's not a lot we can do really,” he is heard to say.
Mr Barton said: “Karl Harris didn't act in accordance with his experience and qualifications, and omitted to resuscitate a patient whom he ought to have tried to resuscitate.
“In order to cover up his omissions, he told lies to the police officers. He repeated those lies to his bosses and he went on to falsify paperwork.”
Harris, of Portslade, East Sussex, was suspended from his job after Mr Baker's death in November 2008.
He denies perverting the course of justice. The case continues.
