Paramedics told to listen to podcasts while queuing for A&E handovers

Paramedics have complained of a “disrespectful” instruction to listen to podcasts while queuing to hand over patients to A&E, HSJ has learned.

Staff at South Western Ambulance Service made the claim to an NHS England review of the trust, which also heard concerns about “a lack of effectiveness” in the executive team, “fragile relationships” at senior levels, and a “punitive culture” against speaking up.

The report does not make clear who “asked” the paramedics to listen to podcasts during handovers, but CEO John Martin said neither he nor the executive teams had given such an instruction.

NHSE’s “well led” review of the trust, released to HSJ following a freedom of information request, said: “We heard examples of staff being asked to read [internal trust communications] or listen to podcasts when they were queuing for handover. Staff were not keen on this, as they felt it was disrespectful towards patients, and they preferred engaging with the patients whilst waiting.” It appears to refer to podcasts featuring internal updates.

The organisation has been a national outlier, with large numbers of very long handover delays – when ambulance crews are required to queue for hours before they can transfer their patient to accident and emergency staff – particularly over the past three years.

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Source: HSJ, 24 April 2025