It’s ironic that, as we approached another Thursday 8pm Clap For Our Carers yesterday, one NHS Ambulance Trust was attracting criticism following the partial publication of an independent investigation into the death by suicide of three of its staff during a 10 day period.
In response, the Trust (East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, or EEAST) has produced an action plan committing to implement each of 12 recommendations set out within the investigation report “as quickly as possible”. The recommendations include “new guidance for the welfare and management support of staff on sick leave”, “training for managers in supporting staff with mental health problems” and “a programme of change and development to address sexual harassment and change the behaviours of staff and managers that enable it to thrive”.
We are currently representing paramedics affected by the issues at EEAST in relation to both Employment Tribunal claims and HCPC fitness to practise proceedings. Partly through this, we have learned about the vast range of high calibre mental health support available for paramedics and ambulance staff. The following links may be of assistance if you fall into that category:
* A curated collection of support services and access to no-cost therapy: https://www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk/support-services-access-to-therapy
* The Ambulance Staff Charity – TASC: www.theasc.org.uk
* Details of the many wellbeing Apps available to NHS staff for free: https://www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk/wellbeing-app
* NHS Our People: https://people.nhs.uk/help/
Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you need further assistance in relation to the legal issues mentioned in this blog.