Ambulance service dismissals over sexual safety cases rise from four to 25, Essex meeting hears
Senior staff say misogyny and sexual misconduct claims are being met with appropriate action
Dismissals over 'sexual safety' cases at the ambulance service covering Essex have more than quadrupled, according to an annual report.
Senior ambulance service staff said serious accusations around misogyny and sexual misconduct are being met with appropriate action.
The issue was raised at an Essex County Council health scrutiny meeting on Wednesday 21st October.
The East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) is responsible for accident and emergency services in Essex and surrounding counties.
EEAST recorded 156 cases of 'sexual safety' reported since April 2024.
The annual report says there were 25 dismissals in 2025/26 alone.
That compares with four in the previous year, a rise of around 525%.
The report says formal sanctions have increased significantly.
It also says reporting levels have more than doubled year-on-year.
The report says this reflects growing awareness and increased confidence in reporting, rather than simply an increase in the number of incidents.
EEAST says employee resignations during investigations have risen from five to 10.
The service says this indicates greater accountability and visible consequences for harmful behaviour.
Complaints facing the service also include issues around religion and bullying, as well as sexual harassment.
Simon Chase, chief paramedic, said: "Regrettably we have got examples of all of those cases going on in the organisation and it's really sad for me to sit here as a chief paramedic and recognise that when we want to give the professionalism that we would treat our patients in the same way as we treat our staff members."
He also said: "We haven't seen that. There are examples and we are dealing with those examples when they come to light. So there are examples of misogyny in the past. We've had poor harassment elements and even to the point of sexual harassment within the workplace. There is no place for that. We're absolutely clear."
Lisa Flautley, area head of operations for Essex, said: "I've worked in the Essex area for 32 years in the ambulance service and I've seen a very different environment from the days of the 90s to the current day and how we need to change with the times. What was acceptable back then is definitely not acceptable now."
She also said: "So from my perspective as the senior leader for Essex, absolutely it's my job to create that safe culture. It's about ensuring our staff are feeling safe to come forward to raise a concern and to be heard and that's obviously my ambition as I embark upon my new role."
Mike Bates, head of clinical operations, said: "We've seen an increase in people being brave enough to come forward which has led to an increase in dismissals for inappropriate behaviour. And that's absolutely right and that's my expectation."
The service has employed an independent body to review its complaints procedures.
The review will also look at how to encourage people who believe they have experienced bad workplace behaviour to come forward.