North East Ambulance Service cover-up claims to be investigated by government

The government is to investigate claims an ambulance service covered up details of patient deaths following errors made by paramedics.

It follows a report by the Sunday Times that the ambulance service withheld information from coroners.  The newspaper reported that concerns were raised about over 90 cases and whistleblowers believed NEAS had prevented full disclosure to relatives of people who had died in 2018 and 2019.

Dr Mathew Beattie, medical director of the trust, said “We always welcome external scrutiny, and we’ve had a significant amount of it over the past two years regarding our policy and procedures relating to our relationship with the coroner and releasing information.

“All of that has given us very positive feedback that we are doing the best we can do and providing the coroner with all the information that they require, so I don’t personally feel we need a further intervention.”

On the subject of reports to the coroner, he said “Often what happens is information comes to us in bits and pieces as investigations take place, reports are written information comes through externally or from different parts of the organisation.

“As all of that information becomes available, we want to release it as quickly as possible to the coroner and occasionally there can be errors.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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