Convicted Jersey paramedics resign from ambulance service

Two Jersey paramedics, convicted of failing to provide reasonable care to a patient who died, have resigned from the Ambulance Service.

The departure of John Sutherland and Tom Le Sauteur has been confirmed by Jersey Ambulance Service, which has released this statement:

"The Government of Jersey, the Ambulance Service staff and Unite the Union wish John and Tom all the very best in their future endeavours, recognising and supporting their decision not to return to the service.

"The Ambulance Service senior leadership team and Unite the Union will continue to work closely and proactively together to address any concerns raised by colleagues and the Unite membership."

Mr Sutherland and Mr Le Sauteur were found to have breached health and safety law by the Royal Court in June 2024, by 'unreasonably' delaying the care of a man who passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest.

39-year-old Frazer Irvine called 999 in March 2022 after suffering a suspected drugs overdose.

The court heard how the paramedics who arrived to treat him called for police backup after the patient became aggressive and refused treatment. 

However, the judge said Mr Sutherland and  Mr Le Sauteur should have reacted more quickly to changes in his condition. 

The paramedics were sentenced to two years conditional discharge and were ordered to pay £500 in costs. 

Tom Le Sauteur and John Sutherland, who had been suspended from the Ambulance Service throughout the legal proceedings, later lost an appeal against the conviction in October 2024.

Upholding the original verdict, the Appeal Court judge said police camera footage showed  "overwhelming" support for the prosecution case and there had been a 'lack of urgency' responding to Mr Irvine's deteriorating condition.

More than £50,000 has been raised by a crowdfunding campaign to cover the pair's legal costs.

At a protest outside the Ambulance Station during the legal proceedings, islanders gathered to express concern about the implications the paramedics' conviction would have for healthcare staff when perceiving potential threats from patients. 

 

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