Paramedic cautioned after asking patient for pictures

A PARAMEDIC accused of asking a patient for ‘pictures’ after meeting on a 999 callout has been handed a two-year caution order.

Lee Roberts told the female patient he wanted to “see pictures of her having fun and while out clubbing” after tending to her during an emergency call.

He claimed he only wanted to “show concern” when he sent a string of messages while working for West Midlands Ambulance Service.

But a misconduct panel said his “sexually motivated” messages only stopped when the patient wanted to move in with him just one day after they met, giving him “cold feet”.

Allegations of the inappropriate messages are said to have torn apart his relationship with his partner of 14 years, who he was planning to marry and have a child with.

A Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service (HCPTS) panel has since decided his fitness to practice was impaired and his actions amounted to misconduct.

Some of his messages were fuelled by sexual motivation, the HCPTS said.

He was given the patient’s mobile number during a 999 callout on July 6, 2018. He initially text just after 8.30pm to confirm she was safe and well before the messages “changed and became personal”.

The female patient – who was travelling by train from Birmingham New Street to Leicester – asked if she could keep his number, with Mr Roberts quizzing her on why she needed to save it, adding a ‘winky face’ at the end of his text. She said she “liked what she saw” before he said he was not married as he works too much. Their conversation ended after the paramedic said “no more text, now get out there have good night send pictures if out clubbing”.

The following day, the patient called Mr Roberts while he was at another emergency callout. He made up an excuse saying he could not talk before she revealed she was feeling dizzy and was drinking alcohol.

She said “Lets get married lol”, with the paramedic telling her she just needed ‘directions’ in her life and massages ‘to relax’.

The patient – who has mental health difficulties including split personality – then asked if she could live with Mr Roberts, who replied “When I kick flat mates out”, the panel was told.

He sent a ‘flirtatious’ message saying “I want see pictures u having fun” before the patient told him she was ‘serious’ about living with him. Mr Roberts replied “Blimey we don’t know each other yet” before telling her to stop drinking and go home.