The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) previously refused to release the ‘Audit One’ report which details how coroners were “not being made aware of concerns and/or investigations being carried out by the trust in a timely fashion” after patients died.
It contains information about the deaths of six people including how information was doctored after the death of 17-year-old Quinn Beadle from Shildon, and how evidence was withheld about paramedics deciding to stop and refuel on the way to 62-year-old Peter Coates from Redcar who was struggling to breathe and died before they reached him.
The report was leaked to the press in 2022 by whistleblower Paul Calvert who alleges families and coroners have been misled at inquests to cover up medical mistakes.
Paul Calvert. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) But the full report was never made public despite NEAS being asked on several occasions under Freedom of Information laws to have it published.
In November the ambulance service was told by the Information Commissioner (ICO) that it must release the document to a solicitors who had requested it, in turn making it public for the first time.
NEAS had previously refused to do so on the basis the report contained personal information including naming people involved.
The document is now publicly accessible for the first time, with some parts redacted.
Quinn Beadle. (Image: Contributor)
Lawyers for Peter Coates’ daughter Kellie confirmed they have received the report after the ICO ruling.
Caroline Ott, solicitor at legal firm Leigh Day, said previously: “Our client looks forward to receiving the report without further delay and hopes provision of the report marks the beginning of increased transparency from the NEAS.”
A spokesperson for North East Ambulance Service said: “We have accepted the decision of the Information Commissioner’s Office and released a copy of the report from Audit One dated March 2020.”
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Paul Calvert, the whistleblower who leaked the report to the press almost three years ago told the Echo: “I’m really surprised that they didn’t appeal it. I thought they would appeal to the information tribunal because they wouldn’t have had to release the report.
“It being released doesn’t help the families. They all had a copy anyway and most of the report had been reported in the press.
“You could argue that yes it is the first time NEAS have been forced to publish but it is still a redacted version.”