The North East Ambulance Service has released a report detailing serious concerns about patient deaths and transparency issues.
Shildon: So, the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) finally let the cat out of the bag with their ‘Audit One’ report. This report had been kept under wraps for ages, and it talks about how coroners weren’t getting the info they needed when patients passed away.
It mentions six deaths, including that of 17-year-old Quinn Beadle. Apparently, some details were changed after his death. There’s also a shocking bit about paramedics who decided to stop for gas while heading to help 62-year-old Peter Coates, who sadly died before they got there.
This whole thing came to light thanks to whistleblower Paul Calvert, who leaked the report back in 2022. He claims families and coroners were misled during inquests to cover up mistakes made by the ambulance service.
Even though NEAS was asked multiple times to release the report under Freedom of Information laws, they kept it private. But in November, the Information Commissioner stepped in and said they had to share it with a solicitor, making it public for the first time.
NEAS had previously argued that the report contained personal info, but now it’s out there, albeit with some parts blacked out.
Lawyers for Peter Coates’ daughter, Kellie, confirmed they finally got the report after the ruling. Caroline Ott, a solicitor, expressed hope that this would lead to more transparency from NEAS.
A spokesperson for NEAS said they accepted the decision and released the report from March 2020. It’s a big step, but it’s still a bit of a mixed bag.
Paul Calvert, the whistleblower, shared his surprise that NEAS didn’t fight the ruling. He pointed out that while it’s the first time they’ve been forced to publish it, the version out now is still redacted.
