Female paramedics ‘hounded’ for sexual favours to advance careers with ambulance service | Bolt Burdon Kemp Female paramedics ‘hounded’ for sexual favours to advance careers with ambulance service | Bolt Burdon Kemp

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Female paramedics ‘hounded’ for sexual favours to advance careers with ambulance service

Sexual “predators” have been allowed to operate within the ambulance service, a woman has claimed after blowing the whistle on the organisation’s continuing toxic culture.

Three women have come forward to share “horrible” experiences of working in the ambulance service, which included being pressured for sexual favours in exchange for training and career advancement and being threatened with rape.

Their allegations of a toxic culture of power imbalances come despite NHS England vowing to tackle sexual safety in the healthcare industry earlier this year, following an investigation by Sky News which revealed incessant sexual harassment and misogyny.

‘Never made it as a paramedic’

The three women making the new claims work in separate NHS Trusts.

One woman, referred to as Katie, described being “hounded” for sexual favours, often disguised as workplace banter.

She often felt as though her career was at stake, as male colleagues would pressure her for sexual favours in return for career advancement, such as signing off essential work and training. She stated the environment was “horrible to work in”, and “allowed real predators to operate openly”.

Another woman, Janet, noted a shift from “blatant” misogyny when she first joined the ambulance services, to a more “insidious” form today.

She stated sexual favours were often seen as a “route to advancement for women”. Janet recalls applying for a training course but being told she would need to “sleep with a manager” to secure herself a spot. Disturbingly, she was given a choice between two managers. Janet refused this horrific behaviour, and in turn, “never made it as a paramedic”.

The third woman, Sarah, recounted instances in which managers would threaten to report mistakes unless sexual favours were provided. She recalls an occasion on which she explicitly told a colleague to report her, and was told to “watch her back” as he “could rape her”.

Sarah noted “no one is taking harassment seriously”, and she plans to quit her job.

Regrettably, all three women have decided to resign as a result of the pervasive, unchecked culture within the industry.

Near-daily misogyny and sexual harassment

Earlier this year Tracy Nicholls, head of the College of Paramedics, stated these “problems exist in every NHS Trust, across all four countries in the United Kingdom”.

An investigation by the college revealed female students were facing misogyny and sexual harassment on a near-daily basis, with concerns of power imbalances and subsequent abuse of power being particularly noteworthy.

Women within the industry have raised concerns about the treatment of new recruits and student workers, who are “routinely referred to as fresh meat”.

In a striking comment, Nicholls stated she would advise her own granddaughters against joining the ambulance services until significant changes are made to the culture.

Furthermore, NHS National Guardian, Jayne Chidgey-Clark, stated she is “not confident” women within the industry are safe.

It is clear the incessant harassment and toxic culture that persists in the industry has detrimental impacts on the physical and emotional wellbeing of female paramedics. These issues are also having wider consequences on the healthcare industry, with young women disheartened and discouraged from pursuing careers in the ambulance services. As the disturbing reality of working in this industry continues to come to light, we are likely to see a drastic decline in its diversity.

A senior spokesperson in the NHS called the recent allegations “appalling and unacceptable”, emphasising the need for dismissals and other forms of disciplinary action. Furthermore, the NHS has committed to improving reporting mechanisms, as well as providing updated training and support for employees. It is imperative the College of Paramedics and NHS Trusts work together to stamp out this unacceptable behaviour.

Predatory behaviour such as sexual harassment should never be tolerated. If you have experienced bullying or harassment at work, we encourage you to reach out to Bolt Burdon Kemp for a free and confidential conversation with one of our experts.

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