“Imagine the person you care most about being completely abandoned when they are at their most vulnerable… and in the aftermath, there is no semblance of support or compassion.”
For Claire, this isn’t a distant fear — it is reality.
Claire and her husband built a family business in Cardiff, working alongside their two sons, Martyn and John. Life was busy and filled with shared effort, laughter, and purpose. As the family looked forward to semi-retirement, the future seemed secure, with their sons ready to take over the business.
That future was shattered in December 2022, when their eldest son Martyn collapsed unexpectedly. A consequent series of critical errors by the local ambulance trust led to an emergency vehicle being incorrectly stood down. This delay meant that vital urgent treatment never arrived, and a fit 35-year-old man tragically lost his life.
Despite a public interest report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman highlighting serious failings, Claire and her family are still waiting for full answers nearly three years later. The absence of accountability and compassion has compounded their grief.
Claire’s courage in speaking out reminds us that patient safety is more than a policy goal — it is a moral imperative. Affected families deserve honesty and meaningful change when things go wrong. Through unimaginable grief, Clare has found the strength to plead for change: safer care, better listening, and real accountability when things go wrong.
At AvMA, we stand beside families like Claire’s to provide expert advice, independent support, and advocacy to ensure that no one faces avoidable medical harm alone. We firmly believe that listening to patients and families must be at the heart of a safer healthcare system.
This Christmas, you can help ensure no one faces tragedy without support. By giving £7 a month, you can help AvMA continue to provide expert advice and advocacy to people affected by avoidable medical harm.
