AMBULANCE REPORT AFTER UNEXPECTED DEATHS OF THREE STAFF

Ambulance staff in Peterborough will be given more mental health support following the unexpected death of three staff members in the space of a month.

The East of England Ambulance Service, which provides the service in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire and across the region, announced they were taking the action after an investigation was carried out following the tragic events of November last year. They have now created an action plan to provide help for staff members.

The investigation, undertaken by independent investigator Christine Carter began in December 2019 and involved interviewing over 40 witnesses, including the families of the three staff members.

The investigation sets out 12 recommendations which have been discussed by the trust board. An action plan has been agreed to make sure the recommendations are implemented.

Dorothy Hosein, EEAST chief executive officer, said: “Losing three members of our staff in tragic circumstances is extremely sad.

“Each of these separate incidents reveals a deeply personal story and a terrible loss with a huge impact on families, close colleagues and across the wider service.

“We all know work and home life are not easily separated.

“Staff wellbeing is influenced by personal, family and other relationships and experiences, as well as their employment. This has not been reflected in some of our policies and management of issues, which are still too tightly focused on just workplace performance.”

“Every day our staff do fantastic work at the frontline of healthcare and often in very demanding circumstances. That is more true today than ever before. This investigation brings home clearly that the trust must do more to support the mental health of staff if they suffer problems or anxiety in their private, family or work life.

“I am committed to instilling a culture which sees, respects and cares for all staff as individuals.

“To do this, we will move fast to improve our well-being policies and practice so they recognise and support the whole person, in and out of uniform.

“This will mean taking rapid and robust action to address issues arising in the workplace, and outside of work as well.”