Ambulance chiefs have apologised to grieving families after paramedics were accused of hiding medical errors and withholding evidence from coroners at inquests into the deaths of patients.
A damning report, into how North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) did not give some relatives a full explanation of the circumstances surrounding the deaths of loved ones, has now been published.
The review, led by retired hospital boss Dame Marianne Griffiths, also looked at how NEAS dealt with whistle-blowing after former coroners’ office Paul Calvert raised concerns.
It said: "Both this investigation and previous reports have found a number of failings in how the Trust should have responded to the incidents and then in their response to concerns about how failings were accepted and followed up.
"It is important that the Trust formally and publicly reiterates that there have been failings and restates its wholehearted apologies to the families concerned.
"Leadership dysfunction was allowed to continue for far too long and this had a major impact on how teams within different directorates operated.
"A defensiveness grew and affected team operations, transparency, candour and judgement. They also clearly impacted the health and wellbeing of staff."
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The review was ordered after The Sunday Times alleged last year that NEAS covered up fatal paramedic errors in 2018 and 2019, and deliberately altered or omitted important facts that families and coroners should have known.
The article also stated that the whistle-blower alleged they were bullied and victimised for raising these concerns.
The independent review highlighted the tragic case of 17-year-old Quinn Beadle, from Shildon, who was found dead in woodland near her home, and a NEAS paramedic who declared her dead rather than trying to perform CPR.
The review stated that the paramedic, who has since been struck off, ignored national and local guidelines by not attempting advanced life support techniques.
It said: “However small the probability of recovery was, (she) deserved that chance and so did her family.”
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Another case involved the death of a 62-year-old man, who urgently needed oxygen, with one crew hampered by a power cut which locked the gates at the ambulance station and another unable initially to find his key safe to get into his home.
The review fell short of agreeing with the families’ belief that changes to reports and not sending original documentation to coroners was done deliberately “to avoid negative attention and accountability”.
It concluded: “We cannot say what the intent was of those individuals who authorised those changes or did not share information as we were not there.
“We have not agreed with some of those decisions taken or some of those judgments made and believe that there are significant learning opportunities to be gained in the organisation in using these cases as a vehicle for improvement.”
Dame Marianne said: “I would like to pay tribute to the families who generously shared their testimonies with me.
“It is clear that they are not only devastated by the loss of their loved ones but also by the ambulance service’s response to the legitimate questions about their care.”
The report said a senior doctor, independent of NEAS, should be included in the review of deaths and their referral to coroners, who engages with families in an appropriate and timely manner.
In response to the report, NEAS chief executive Helen Ray said: “Firstly, I would like to say how sorry I am for any distress caused to the families for mistakes made in the past.
“Each family has received an unreserved apology from me on behalf of the trust.
“There were flaws in our processes and these have now either been addressed or are being resolved at pace.”
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The report said measures have now been taken and a new leadership team is in place.
Ms Ray added: “We have strengthened the governance, systems and processes relating to investigations and coronial reports; and continue to monitor these to ensure the lessons have been learned.”
Read next:
- North East ambulance whistleblower offered £41k to stay silent
- Mum misled over daughter's death said whistle-blower deserves award - not the sack
- Leaked emails 'show ambulance inquiry body is unfit' to review cover-up scandal
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The review also stated that NEAS – the second smallest ambulance trust in the country – needed more funding.
Ms Ray added: “The action we have taken is also recognised by the Care Quality Commission, who last week said we have begun to make the improvements that address their concerns.
“However, there is more to do so the public can receive the best possible care.”
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