The MP for a whistleblower who raised concerns about North East Ambulance Service has said a worrying Care Quality Commission report is "no surprise".
Grahame Morris - Labour MP for Easington - said the "hard work and dedication" of NEAS staff should be recognised, but said he was concerned they were working in a culture "where they do not feel respected, supported or valued". On Wednesday, the CQC published a report rating NEAS as "requires improvement" and highlighting a range of issues with governance and patient safety.
The report rated the service "good" for being caring and responsive. But, according to a survey of almost 500 staff conducted by the CQC, more than half of staff feared raising issues at work for fear of repercussions.
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One comment from a member of staff cited in the report saw talk of a "blame culture" and that workers feared that managers would "string them over the coals". NEAS pointed to the survey's sample size - around a seventh of its 3,500-strong workforce - and has said it "actively encourages" staff to raise concerns.
Over the past three years, Mr Morris's constituent Paul Calvert has raised a number of concerns - as a whistleblower - about the way in which NEAS discloses information to coroners. He has spoken of bullying and his employment was terminated last month.
Speaking after the new CQC report, Mr Morris said: "I have seen how the North East Ambulance Service deals with whistleblowers, like my constituent Paul Calvert. It...
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