A DELAY in dispatching an ambulance “materially contributed to the premature death” of a West Belfast man, an inquest has heard.
Beechmount man Lee Gannon (25) died tragically in the Royal Victoria Hospital on February 15, 2022.
Mr Gannon had been unwell for several days and began experiencing breathing difficulties at home. Following the first 999 call at 12:19am, the deceased did not reach the RVH until 4.13am where he was later pronounced dead from cardiac arrest as a result of his severe bacterial infection.
The coroner has found that Lee’s death was preventable and that the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) missed multiple opportunities to re-triage the emergency call. The coroner also found that multiple opportunities were missed to save Lee’s life by correctly categorising the seriousness of Lee’s condition.
Delivering the inquest verdict, the coroner said the delay "materially contributed to his premature death".
Coroner Dougan said: “I find the incorrect categorisation of the initial call and further failures to re-triage resulted in a substantial delay in ambulance attendance and transfer to hospital.
“That delay deprived the deceased of timely and appropriate assessment and treatment at the Royal Victoria Hospital for pneumonia and sepsis and materially contributed to his premature death.
“The evidence before me demonstrated the significant effect which prolonged hospital handover delays can have upon the availability of ambulance resources to respond to patients in the community.”
Following the conclusion of the inquest in September 2025, Lee’s mum, Anne, passed away.
Closing the inquest on Wednesday, Coroner Dougan said: “Throughout these proceedings, her devotion to her son was unmistakable.
“It was of great sadness she did not hear the delivery of these findings, and I wish to put on record my sincere condolences to the wider Gannon family on the loss of Anne and Lee.”
Colin McMenamin, from Ó Muirigh Solicitors said: "These detailed findings will require some time for the Gannon family to digest but it is clear that their long-held concerns of multiple failures by NIAS have been upheld. To hear that their loved ones death was preventable has been very difficult for them. They have shown tremendous bravery and determination on behalf of their brother and son throughout this inquest process.
"Alongside the loss of Lee, the family have suffered another unbearable loss. Just a few short weeks after the inquest Lee’s mother Anne passed away. It is deeply regrettable that she was not present today to hear the findings. Anne fought bravely for answers whilst suffering tremendous grief. She did not give up.
"Anne wanted to ensure that no mother or family ever had to experience what they went through. We hope that Lee’s inquest will go some way in achieving that."
