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04
May 2021
Ambulance service trust in legal agreement to tackle sexual harassment
East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) is the first in the UK to be forced to tackle its “high levels” of sexual harassment.
Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission said the trust had not done enough to ensure patients and staff were protected from abuse.
The trust has been required to sign a legally binding agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
Thirteen cases of sexual misconduct by staff against the trust had been reported to police, according to the health watchdog. The commission said the trust had not made evident measures taken to ensure the risk had been addressed across the organisation and for staff working on their own.
Alistair Pringle, EHRC’s acting chief executive, said it was the first time they had had to enter into a legal agreement with an NHS trust, saying “We only ever get involved in cases which we think are egregious breaches of the Equality Act. We think this is a strategic and important case.”
EEAST’s interim chief executive and medical director Dr Tom Davis, said “The safety of our staff and patients is our top priority and our agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission reinforces this commitment.
“The trust has acted quickly to address concerns and progress with the action plan and this has been recognised by the EHRC.
“This is a complex issue and we will continue to do everything possible at every level to further improve the protection of our staff.”
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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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