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The union representing Jersey paramedics says it is working with Ambulance leaders on “restorative initiatives” after allegations of a “toxic” culture and a vote of no confidence in management rocked the service – but progress has been “slower than expected”.
Following claims from whistleblowers that failures from management to listen to safety concerns are endangering workers and a revelation that they had been warned against speaking to the media, the Minister in charge hit out at what she described as a “narrative” apparently created “by a few people” seeking to “undermine the hard work of the majority of Ambulance Service colleagues”.
But Unite the Union said it was “clear” that there are issues across the whole department – exemplified by a vote of no confidence which took place over the summer – and said it is now working to improve strained relations between leaders and staff.
Pictured: Attendees at a protest outside Ambulance HQ following the trial in June, holding signs saying "protect our emergency services".
The top levels of the service have come under significant scrutiny in the wake of a high-profile legal case in June involving two paramedics found guilty of failing to provide reasonable care for a man who was behaving violently and later died.
Many said the case raised questions about the conditions under which paramedics are currently operating. While management has always maintained it has a “zero-tolerance” approach to violence, it recently emerged that paramedics have faced a steep rise in assaults over the past four years, with 26 incidents recorded in 2024 – more than the total of the previous two years combined. One paramedic had his nose broken.
A campaign entitled 'Work Without Fear' was recently launched to encourage the public to show respect to Ambulance colleagues – but some staff told Express they felt this was no more than PR, and distracted from alleged systemic issues.
Express put a number of paramedics’ key concerns to Justice and Home Affairs.
While denying claims made by several paramedics of a “toxic” workplace and maintaining it is “not true that Ambulance Service colleagues are undervalued”, the department said it had implemented several measures to address staff concerns.
To improve staff safety, it has ordered new handheld radios, which enable paramedics to request back-up, and ensure better connectivity in remote areas.
A system to flag violent patients and share relevant information among emergency services has also been updated.
The department also said that they have introduced regular newsletters and meetings with union representatives to address grievances and risks.
One of the key concerns revolved around dealing with patients in mental health crises, and potentially presenting as violent. The department maintained that mental health training was already part of their programme and that more will be rolled out next year.
“If any staff member identifies Mental Health care as a training need, they should speak with their line manager, who will discuss this with the Clinical Tutor to support the person’s learning,” the department said.
Crucially, the department maintained that any staff member who has a concern will be listened to – but that they must use the appropriate internal channel, such as going via their line manager.
This was emphasised to staff in an email from Justice and Home Affairs chief officer Kate Briden obtained by Express, which warned ambulance staff that talking to the media was "inappropriate and contrary to the codes of practice employees agree to while working in the public service" and could result in disciplinary action.
Ms Briden also warned that speaking to the media could harm the service's reputation and would not be tolerated, as such actions could, she said, erode public trust and potentially result in loss of life.
In the wake of the allegations, Home Affairs Minister Deputy Mary Le Hegarat said: “I wish to reassure islanders that the Ambulance Service is made up of committed professionals who provide urgent treatment and care to islanders when they need it most. Often, that work means dealing with complex and emotive incidents, no two of which are ever the same. The reactive and emotive aspect of the work undertaken by Ambulance Service colleagues is recognised.”
However, she suggested that the noise was coming from a limited number of people.
"It is unfortunate that a narrative seems to be being created by a few people which seeks to undermine the hard work of the majority of Ambulance Service colleagues,” she added.
Her comments were received with great dismay by one of the paramedics involved in the recent Royal Court case, Tom Le Sauteur.
Nothing that has been said to the press has "undermined the hard work" of the frontline staff, he said.
"It has been said by the frontline staff themselves to try to prevent their hard work being undermined by poor leadership and inaction," explained Mr Le Sauteur.
"To attribute this to 'a few' completely ignores the fact that there was a 100% vote of no confidence by the operational staff in their management.
"The vast majority of the frontline staff are supportive of these facts being given to the media as they hope it will result in the positive action and change that we have already requested through official channels."
Pictured: Paramedics John Sutherland and Tom Le Sauteur coming out into the Royal Square after losing their appeal. (Jon Guegan)
He added: "It is amazingly frustrating that the Minister would tell the public that action can't be taken if issues are not raised after issues have been totally ignored.
"Why would staff risk their jobs by going to the press if we could simply report it to our management safe in the knowledge that our concerns would be taken seriously?"
James Turner, Regional Officer for Unite the Union in Jersey, pointed to the vote of no confidence as an indicator of dissatisfaction being more widespread – but said that things were moving forward, albeit with difficulty.
"Progress is being made in an attempt to resolve matters, although slower than expected it could be said,” he told Express.
He added that meetings held recently have discussed the vote and "restorative initiatives and processes" that are being created to improve the relationship between staff and management.
The regional officer continued: "It is clear there are issues within the department and this is reflected within the vote of no confidence.
"Unite the Union is committed to improving the working environment for its members in any workplace, and as we work with the employer here we are confident we will see these improvements, with some already being made."
FOCUS: "Culture of fear"? Paramedics warned over speaking out on "systemic" concerns (November 2024)
Ambulance launches 'Work Without Fear' campaign amid surge in attacks (November 2024)
Paramedics lose appeal against convictions (October 2024)
Paramedic PPE rules got in way of timely patient care, appeal hears (October 2024)
Convicted paramedics thank public for support ahead of appeal (October 2024)
Court appeal date set as paramedics fundraiser nears £50k (August 2024)
IN NUMBERS: The violent reality of working in Health (August 2024)
"Zero-tolerance approach" to attacks on ambulance staff (July 2024)
Britain's biggest union calls for urgent review of Jersey paramedics' case (July 2024)
Paramedics found guilty of failing to provide reasonable care (June 2024)
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