A mother who was misled over the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s death has described the review into the paramedic ‘cover up’ scandal as a ‘whitewash’.

Seventeen-year-old Quinn Beadle died after taking her own life in woodland not far from her Shildon home in December 2018.

Several aspects of potentially life-saving care she failed to receive from North East Ambulance Service paramedic Gavin Wood formed part of the review by Dame Marianne Griffiths, including changes to medical statements into the inquest into Quinn’s death.

The Northern Echo: Quinn Milburn-Beadle Quinn Milburn-Beadle (Image: Contributor)

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The case was one of around 90 identified by former coroners’ officer Paul Calvert who went public with concerns of cover-ups after ‘whistleblowing’ on NEAS colleagues.

Before the NHS England review was announced by former Health Secretary Sajid Javid, Ms Beadle and Mr Calvert called for a public inquiry.

Now, having read Dame Marianne’s report, both have said the review has not gone far enough.

Ms Beadle, who also lost her son, Dyllon, to suicide, said: “The report is pretty much what we thought it would be, a complete whitewash.

“We don’t feel it's in any way impartial or independent.

“It’s just a form ticking exercise by the government and NEAS so make us go away and stop calling for a full and frank independent public inquiry.”

The Northern Echo: Dame Marianne Griffiths Dame Marianne Griffiths (Image: Contributor)

Mrs Beadle said the scope of the review was not wide enough, given the suspected number of families affected.

She said: “It looks into the deaths of only four people, what about the other tens of people that have been reported by Paul?

“Why was it never looked into about the crime recorded regarding misleading the coroner? 

Read more: Unfair dismissal claim by struck off paramedic Gavin Wood

Mrs Beadle said the report is nothing more than a ‘regurgitation of the known facts’ and accused Dame Marianne of ‘cherry picking’ parts of the evidence and reports she wishes to make public.
Mrs Beadle, who has set up a charity, Quinn’s Retreat, to support families affected by suicide, said: “In my opinion, this is in order to ‘gild the lily’ and paint a more favourable picture of the trust and its senior management team. “Especially those that were involved in the covering up of the mistakes that resulted in the deaths of patients.

“I have to say that sadly, I am not surprised by the report, I have said many times before, the appointment of Dame Marianne Griffiths was a carefully thought-out appointment which would result in a well-orchestrated government cover up. That it is the NHS investigating the NHS. Therefore no impartiality exists.”

Read more: Quinn Beadle paramedic struck off for misconduct 

The Northern Echo: Paul Calvert Paul Calvert (Image: Northern Echo)

Mr Calvert, a former police officer and a father-of-two, was sacked by NEAS before Christmas after being off work with on medical grounds.

Mr Calvert, from Peterlee, who claimed he was bullied and harassed after making the allegations, said the review was a ‘rehash’ of what has already been said.

He said: “It does not really address the dishonesty whereby documents were charged or address any of the other cases.

“It does not provide anything new.”

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Mr Calvert said he did not take part in the review because Dame Marianne Griffiths is currently connected to a separate hospital deaths scandal after whistleblowers in Brighton lost their jobs when she was chief executive of University Hospital Sussex NHS trust. 

He said: “It was never going to be impartial and Dame Marianne does not have the powers that a proper judicial-led inquiry would have, to request evidence and to summon witnesses.

“This was not just about NEAS, but also about other agencies which may or may not have assisted in the cover up, including the CQC, Northumbria Police, NHS England and the coroner.

“These issues have never been addressed.

“She has conducted a review of a review.”

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The Northern Echo: Helen Ray Helen Ray (Image: Contributor)

Helen Ray, chief executive of North East Ambulance, said the scope of the review was set by NHS England and NEAS had fully engaged with the review.

She said: “We have expressed our deepest apologies to all of the families involved and we continue to do that and we are happy to meet with the families so we can explain in more detail and to give further assurance about the action we have taken.

“We continue to monitor and our review our responses to serious incidents and to any concerns that are raised.”