Risk of death by geography for elderly man who waited hours for ambulance, says son

The son of an elderly man, who waited three-and-a-half hours for an ambulance after his lungs collapsed, has said medical services in the area demonstrate the risk of “death by geography”.

James Woods, from Termon Road in Boyle, Co Roscommon, also described as “codswallop” any suggestion the response to his father’s health crisis had been adequate.

His father, also called James, has since been discharged but awaits further treatment. James Snr began feeling unwell last Sunday and, on Monday, his son — who works in Sligo General Hospital — checked on him.