Dame Marianne Griffiths to chair North East Ambulance Service review

Dame Marianne Griffiths has been appointed to chair the inquiry after allegations paramedics changed statements to coroners to cover up medical errors where patients had died.

Commissioned by NHS England, the review was initiated after concerns were raised by a whistleblower with claims there were over 90 cases he was aware of.

NEAS whistleblower Paul Calvert. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Read more: North East ambulance whistleblower offered £41k to stay silent

Dame Marianne retired from her job as chief executive of University Hospitals Sussex, the NHS trust that runs the Royal Sussex County Hospital aged 61 last October.

She was made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2019 New Year Honours for her dedicated NHS career spanning over 40 years.

Among many professional accolades, she has been named the HSJ (Health Service Journal) chief executive of the year.

Confirming her appointment, a spokesperson for NHS England, which is organising the review said: “Dame Marianne Griffiths has been appointed to chair an independent review of the North East Ambulance Service.

“Commissioned by NHS England, the review was initiated after concerns were raised about the quality of information supplied to coroners.” 

Former Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said there would be ‘full independent review’ into the accusations of ‘tragic failings’.

Families of those who lost loved ones due to mistakes by ambulance staff have previously said they believe the NHS inquiry will be a ‘whitewash’.

Tracey Beadle lost her daughter Quinn

Tracey Beadle, from Shildon, lost her 17-year-old daughter, Quinn, to suicide three-and-a-half years ago.

Crucial information from her final moments was withheld by the paramedic who treated her, including the reading from a monitor showing heart activity.

It emerged North East Ambulance Service changed a statement given at Quinn’s first inquest in April 2019, removing references to mistakes, such as failing to clear her airways, and adding claims that life support would ‘not have had a positive outcome’.

Peter Coates, 62, from Dormanstown near Redcar, who had lung disease and used a machine for oxygen, died waiting for an ambulance in 2019 when the oxygen machine failed during a power cut.

North East Ambulance Service said it would welcome ‘independent scrutiny’ when the review was announced.

The service referred the Northern Echo to NHS England when asked to comment on the announcement.

Read next: 

• Ambulance whistleblower shares emails to NHS England
• Mum 'horrified' at scale of North East ambulance 'cover ups'
• North East Ambulance Service review disappoints families

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