570-mile ambulance trip with no water

A stroke victim was forced to endure a 570-mile ambulance journey without food or water, it was revealed today.

Daniel Baldwin, 42, was treated at King's College Hospital after suffering a stroke while working in London. He was transferred in a private ambulance to a hospital in Inverness, nearer his home.

His driver stopped twice for meal breaks on the 12-hour journey but it is understood Mr Baldwin was left entirely alone and was in a "dreadful state" when he arrived.

The hospital is now reviewing its use of private firm Select which supplied the ambulance.

Mr Baldwin's father Mervyn said: "It would be illegal to treat a pig like that. He wasn't even offered a drink of water, never mind any food, although the driver stopped twice for meals."

An investigation has been launched.

A spokesman for King's College Hospital said: "The hospital is taking this allegation extremely seriously. The level of service appears to have been totally unacceptable and we will be reviewing our agreement with Select."

Tory MSP Mary Scanlon said: "The NHS should not be sub-contracting to a private operator who allegedly has no consideration for the patient."

A spokesman for Select said the company was aware of the allegations and was investigating.