Paramedic 'preyed' on 'vulnerable' young colleagues

WARNING: This story contains language that some readers may find offensive or upsetting.

A "predatory" paramedic who told a junior colleague she was uptight and needed sex has been struck off.

Graham Scott, while working for the East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST), acted "sexually" towards three "vulnerable" female colleagues – two of whom were in their early 20s at the time.

The Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service (HCPTS) said he had left them feeling "physically scared", "uncomfortable" and "nauseated", and they dreaded going into work.

Mr Scott, who also put his hands around one of the women's thighs and asked another to have a shower with him, described the investigation as a "witch hunt".

"All this over what used to be called a joke," the former medical professional told the HCPTS, before admitting he had "no interest" in the outcome of the hearing.

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "The allegations raised against Mr Scott were shocking. He was immediately suspended after complaints and dismissed from the trust in July 2021 after an investigation."

Mr Scott worked out of the Beccles Ambulance Station at the time of the incidents, which occurred between 2018 and 2020, before being dismissed by the EEAST in July 2021.

The first incident happened at Waveney Ambulance Station and involved colleague A, to whom Mr Scott said: "You're a bit uptight. What you need is a good fuck. Anybody at work you fancy?"

He also said: "It would do you some good. I'll give you my number if you like. Just message me whenever you want."

When colleague A joked that "no one would want to have sex" with her, Mr Scott turned around, extended his hand and said: "My name is Graham Scott, nice to meet you."

He later sent her a Facebook friend request before telling her she could message him whenever she wanted "a little something".

Just over a month later, he told colleague B: "I can scrub your back for you. We can both get in the shower together."

This made her feel "very anxious and uncomfortable" and as if there was a "physical threat" to her.

On another occasion, he commented that the pair were returning to an empty ambulance station and they could "make mad passionate love".

Mr Scott, who in 2018 had suggested to colleague B they could be friends with benefits, also asked her on more than one occasion: "When are we going to have an affair?"

And, in October 2022, while in the kitchen area of Waveney Ambulance Station and in front of other staff members, he touched the thigh of colleague C, before "encircling" it.

The HCPTS ruled Mr Scott's actions had been "sexually motivated", "seriously offensive", and "degrading", and removed him from the register.

"He has suggested these comments were in some way in the nature of a joke or banter," the panel added.

"It is unclear to the HCPC which parts are to be considered a joke, and in what era it was ever thought these sorts of comments were appropriate.

"All three colleagues were vulnerable, and [Mr Scott] preyed upon their vulnerability."

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "There is no place in the ambulance service for any form of sexual harassment. We take allegations of sexual harassment and assault against our staff extremely seriously, and encourage anyone who experiences this to report it.

"We have worked to encourage safe reporting of any unwanted sexual behaviour and introduced more senior involvement to manage investigations into allegations.

"But we need to do more to develop allyship among staff, to ensure that all colleagues identify and call out this kind of behaviour, so that it is not only victims who are expected to step forward but all colleagues at all levels."

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