AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a paramedic allegedly refused to take a Basingstoke woman to hospital. 

Beryl Jeffery, who lives in Bramdown Heights, Hatch Warren, was “screaming in pain” during the night on May 16 when her son John Picard called for an ambulance. 

Mrs Jeffery, 83, had previously complained of abdominal pains, and was prescribed painkillers the day before. 

However, due to Mrs Jeffery suffering from dysphagia – a condition that makes it difficult to swallow – she was unable to take the medication. 

When the paramedics arrived at the house, Mr Picard said an ambulance worker refused to treat his mother as she hadn’t taken the prescribed tablets and was forcefully “interrogating” her. 

“When the ambulance arrived I met them to tell them the situation, but they just didn’t seem interested in what I had to say,” said the 63-year-old. 

“They just came rushing in and sat on the sofa as if it was their own home and started interrogating my mother. 

“They said because she hadn’t taken her painkillers they couldn’t take her to hospital," he added. 

After the team from South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) said they would not take Mrs Jeffery to hospital, Mr Picard took it upon himself to take his mother to Basingstoke hospital.

She has battled lymphatic cancer twice, but doctors now believe the cancer has returned and is obstructing her bowel.

Mrs Jeffery will now be moved to St Michael’s Hospice to receive specialist care. 

Mr Picard has now logged a formal complaint with SCAS.

He added: “When we’ve had to call ambulances before for mum the staff have been fantastic, I just couldn’t believe the way this man acted. 

“It does make you worry about how other patients are being treated.” 

A spokesman from South Central Ambulance Service said: “SCAS can confirm that a complaint has been received by the trust’s patient experience team.

“A full investigation into the complaint will now take place and the results of that investigation will be shared with the complainant.”