Report finds West Midlands ambulance whistleblowers stifled

Ambulance staff in the West Midlands have had their ability to speak up as whistleblowers stifled for many years, an independent inquiry has found.

The investigation, commissioned by NHS England, also identified failings in financial governance at West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS).

Five senior and former members of staff spoke out to NHS England.

WMAS accepts it has learning to do, but says the report expresses confidence in the service's ability to address the issues raised.

The whistleblowers included a finance director, medical, operations and quality control staff.

They raised issues through the Freedom to Speak Up scheme with the National NHS England Team.

The inquiry, led by Carole Taylor Brown, had terms of reference which included "Governance, probity, the difficulty of speaking up about these issues and the alleged behaviour of some senior leaders".

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Source: BBC News, 28 June 2023