‘Breathless’ food bank volunteer died as ambulance took three hours to arrive

A popular food bank volunteer spent his final hours breathless and confused as paramedics took more than three hours to arrive, an inquest has heard. Rodney Foord was at home in Old Gate Road, Faversham, on February 12 when he called for an ambulance at 10.39pm.

But when paramedics finally arrived at 2.10am, the 79-year-old was found dead “between the bed and the wall, slumped on the floor”. Fellow helpers at Faversham Foodbank have described Mr Foord as “always cheerful” and welcoming to new volunteers.



An inquest into his death was opened at Oakwood House in Maidstone on Tuesday morning. It was heard how the lifelong Faversham resident had dialled 999 and complained of an infection, breathlessness and feeling more confused than usual. The call was graded ‘category 3’, meaning it was considered urgent but not immediately life-threatening.

The national standard states that all ambulance trusts must respond to 90% of Category 3 calls in 120 minutes. Paramedics had attempted a call back 41 minutes after his initial contact with them, but this went unanswered. The cause of death was given as an acute pulmonary edema, a condition caused by too much fluid in the lungs.

When it develops suddenly, as it did in Mr Foord’s case, it is a medical emergency which needs immediate care, according to the Mayo Clinic. Coroner Katrina Hepburn acknowledged this was a natural death, but had decided to investigate the matter further after being alerted to concerns over the response of the ambulance service. Mr Foord was one Faversham Foodbank’s first volunteers when it started in 2015 and had worked with the organisation ever since.

Chair of trustees, Dominic Deeson, told KentOnline: “Popular and highly regarded by the 50 other local people who volunteer for the foodbank regularly, it was a great shock when Rodney died suddenly. Many of his colleagues attended his funeral at St Catherine’s Church, Preston-next-Faversham. “He was known at the food bank for his dry wit and ready smile.

Always cheerful, he welcomed new volunteers and supported them to ensure they quickly felt part of the team. “Rodney had a strong sense of the social injustices which he said forced people to seek the foodbank’s help. “He was a vocal critic of government welfare policies and people who he felt were unsympathetic to poverty and deprivation.

” A South East Coast Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with Mr Foord’s family at this difficult time. “We have co-operated fully with the coroner and, as is appropriate, we will not comment further ahead of providing evidence at the inquest when it resumes.” A full inquest into Mr Foord’s death will be held on June 16 at Oakwood House.

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