Trust pledges to act amid investigations into harassment and threats

An ambulance trust is to overhaul how it supports workers with mental health problems after an independent investigation into the deaths of three staff members in less than two weeks last year.

East of England Ambulance Service Trust has promised to implement all 12 recommendations from the investigation – but it will not publish the full report because it contains personal details of the three men, their families and colleagues. HSJ reported the deaths happened while the trust was transitioning to a new staff welfare provider.

However, the recommendations revealed three other investigations involving the trust – one into whistleblowing which has concluded; and ones into sexual harassment and threats to kill, which are ongoing and only involve one area of the trust. None of these is connected to the investigation which reported today.

However, the findings of all four investigations should be assessed to spot common themes or consistent messages “that would suggest the need for remedial action and further organisational development initiatives,” said Christine Carter, who carried out the investigation.

Dorothy Hosein, EEAST chief executive, 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.”

“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. This will mean taking rapid and robust action to address issues arising in the workplace, and outside of work as well. My aim is for all our managers to listen to and support colleagues and spot any early signs where help might be needed.”

But she stressed that the three deaths involved “three individuals in three different locations with individual circumstances. There is no theme.”

As HSJ reported in January, the deaths happened as it was introducing a new staff welfare provider but this was “completely incidental. We dual ran our services for six months,” she said.

The trust has already taken actions such as training mental health champions and having “air and share” sessions, she added. The trust has an action plan to implement all 12 recommendations and Ms Hosein said she hoped it would be a “trailblazer” in looking after the welfare of staff.

UNISON Eastern regional organiser Sam Older said: “We’re glad the East of England Ambulance Service is stepping up its support to staff, but it’s tragic that it took the death of three of its employees to take staff mental health more seriously.

“We’ve long pushed for better training and a more commitment to making sure managers effectively support staff.

“There are unavoidable emotional stresses that go with working in emergency services, but it’s up to managers to minimise these and make sure staff have the help they need – particularly as staff are busier than ever dealing with covid-19.

“UNISON will continue working with the trust to make sure these recommendations are implemented and staff welfare is at the centre of the ambulance service.”

The three men who died in November last year were ambulance dispatcher Luke Wright from Norwich, paramedic Christopher Gill from Welwyn Garden City and paramedic Richard Grimes from Luton.