Paramedic admits failing in duty of care after man collapsed and died outside Walsall Manor Hospital

Matthew Geary from Manor Avenue, Great Wyrley, pleaded guilty to failing to discharge his relevant duty by not taking reasonable care of Carl Cope.

At Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday, the 36 year old admitted he did not provide a 'prompt and proper' examination after 47-year-old Mr Cope collapsed outside Walsall Manor Hospital on June 23, 2012.

Geary further conceded that he failed to quickly start resuscitation of Mr Cope, who had suffered a fatal heart attack.

It is understood that the victim, who lived in Parker Street, Bloxwich, had gone to the hospital earlier in the day with chest pains and collapsed after momentarily stepping outside the building.

No further details were given to the court when Geary entered his guilty plea but Judge John Warner was told the defendant was no longer a paramedic with West Midlands Ambulance Service.

The case was adjourned to a date to be fixed and the full facts will be outlined when Geary is sentenced.

Judge Warner gave the defendant bail but warned that this would not 'tie the hands' of the court in deciding the appropriate outcome.

A paramedic was sacked, one resigned and an emergency medical technician and emergency care assistant at West Midlands Ambulance Service were both given final written warnings after an internal probe into the incident.

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the Manor, also conducted its own internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Cope. This was concluded in October 2012 and as a result four members of staff were sacked and two others disciplined.

Trust chief executive Richard Kirby said it was a serious incident and the organisation would 'learn from the mistakes made and ensure that these events are not repeated'.

He added: "I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the family of Mr Cope and apologise for the failings. The level of care provided to this patient was unacceptable and fell well below our aim to provide a consistently first class experience to all those that use our services."

Mr Cope's sister Jayne said the family could not rest until the situation was finally resolved and somebody had been held responsible.

She said: "It has just been dragging on and on and quite frankly I cannot believe how quickly the time has passed. We can't rest until all this is sorted."