Ambulance chief faces 'bullying and harassment' inquiry

Published on Thursday 29 May 2008 22:04

THE boss of the Scottish Ambulance Service is being investigated over claims of bullying and harassment, it was announced yesterday.

Chief executive Kevin Doran – as well as Grace Kennedy, the service's operations director – have taken voluntary leave of absence pending an independent investigation into the claims.

The move follows disquiet among staff and politicians about changes to the service, including moves towards more single-staffed ambulance crews.

A spokesman for the service yesterday said the investigation team would be established in the next few days.

"Pauline Moore, the director of finance, will assume the role of acting chief executive pending the outcome of the investigation," he said.

Last week, MSPs asked a Holyrood committee to investigate concerns over the operation of the ambulance service.

Margaret Curran, Labour's health spokeswoman, claimed managers were being pressured into meeting efficiency targets of 3 per cent. She said more than 300 staff and members of the union Unite have lodged a grievance with bosses over concerns about patient care and the impact of understaffing on personnel.

Yesterday, Nicola Sturgeon, the health secretary, welcomed the launch of the investigation. "While it is right that we await the conclusion of the independent team's investigation, I am concerned by a range of issues raised both directly to me, and by parliamentary colleagues at last week's debate," she said.

Ray Carrick, a spokesman for the Ambulance Service Union Scotland, said staff had expressed "reservations over Mr Doran's management style" and welcomed the investigation.

"We would be interested in seeing if this investigation could be widened out to include some of our own concerns," he said.

These included single-staffed crews and shifts going uncovered in Scotland.

Opposition parties also welcomed the investigation.

Ms Curran said: "The public must have confidence in the Scottish Ambulance Service and it needs to be restored."

Ross Finnie, the Liberal Democrat health spokesman, said: "Reports of bullying in any organisation are extremely concerning and I have heard disturbing stories from within the ambulance service."

Mary Scanlon, the Tory health spokeswoman, said: "I hope that no stone is left unturned in establishing all the facts".