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A paramedic refused to force entry into a patient's home, despite assurance from a carer that the man was inside and in need of assistance, an inquest hears.
South Australia's Coroners Court heard the 64-year-old patient, David Low, had diabetes, heart complications, breathing issues and amputations.
In the opening address on Thursday, counsel assisting the coroner Darren Evans told the court data from Mr Low's pacemaker revealed he died while the paramedic was outside his home on February 25, 2020.
Support worker raises alarm
The court heard Mr Low's support worker had called to arrange to take his client to a physiotherapist appointment and noted Mr Low was in significant pain and could not get out of bed.
He contacted emergency services after Mr Low dropped the phone while they were speaking and then became unreachable.
Darryl Sparrow, a Solo Paramedic Response Intervention (SPRINT) was sent to the Kilburn address in Adelaide's inner north.
David Low's carer rang triple-0. (ABC News: Che Chorley)
A number of calls between SA Ambulance Service dispatchers and Mr Sparrow were played in court, including conversations in which an operator assured him that the patient was inside the home.
"The carer is sure the male is at the address, possibly the male can't get out of bed," the operator said.
"The carer is definitely sure he's at the address," she said in another conversation with Mr Sparrow.
Mr Sparrow told the court he was not convinced the patient was inside the home, and therefore would not exercise his power to force entry into the premises.
"So yeah, I don't really want to go in all guns blazing and find he is not here," he told the operator during the call.
Mr Sparrow said he had been told Mr Low's wife was a teacher, which "planted the seed to me that maybe she's picked him up and taken him to the doctor or hospital."
'Argy bargy' with police
The court heard SA Police officers arrived at the address soon after Mr Sparrow, including Sergeant Amanda Weaver, who was "in firm belief that the patient was inside the premises and required assistance".
"She was quite agitated at the time, was really, I think, a little angry that I had not used my powers to break into the house," Mr Sparrow said.
The court heard Sergeant Weaver "stated to him [Mr Sparrow], 'are we not making entry as we are arguing over politics over whose powers to use, or paperwork? This is medical — get it done.'"
Mr Sparrow said he was still not of the belief that Mr Low was inside and rang the call centre, reporting there was "a bit of argy bargy here about whether we should be exercising our powers of entry".
The inquest into the death of David Low is being heard this month. (ABC News: Lincoln Rothall)
Eventually contact was made with one of Mr Low's daughters who had keys and provided access to the house, by which time Mr Low was found dead inside.
The court heard Sergeant Weaver reported that Mr Sparrow then told her, "It wouldn't have made a scrap of difference if I forced entry.'"
"I don't think I would have said [that]," Mr Sparrow told the court.
"I wouldn't say something that was inflammatory given the circumstances."
Paramedic concedes he should have forced entry
State Coroner David Whittle asked Mr Sparrow if he was aware that the patient was experiencing an unknown problem, was distressed, had dropped his phone, was not answering calls, and was in a wheelchair.
Mr Sparrow said he had seen that information on the mobile data terminal.
"So, did you pause to consider what the worst scenario might be?" Mr Whittle asked.
"No," Mr Sparrow replied.
A family member of Mr Low who was listening to the proceeding expressed a disbelieving sigh and shook her head.
A number of calls between SA Ambulance Service dispatchers and paramedic Darryl Sparrow were played in court. (ABC News: Che Chorley)
Mr Sparrow conceded he had been informed by a team leader that the consensus among SA Ambulance Service staff was that entry should be made.
He also agreed that if Mr Low was unresponsive, he could not have been expected to answer the paramedic and police officers' attempts to alert him by banging on windows and the door.
"If all of those people were telling you they're sure he's in there, or you should enter, why not just enter? Why not force entry when you have the power?" Mr Evans asked.
"I should have," Mr Sparrow said.
Mr Whittle said it was important to "get to the bottom of what went wrong" and to consider recommendations to "reduce the likelihood of deaths in similar circumstances".
"And fundamental to what went wrong is why you didn't just enter, and agreeing that you should have doesn't help me, except to note your regret which I know," he said.
A post-mortem examination found that "Mr Low had died of ischaemic and hypertensive heart disease, operated with cardiomegaly on a background of diabetes mellitus and morbid obesity".
Mr Sparrow will continue giving evidence on Friday.