Kathryn Richmond
17 Nov 2017 · Coroner Rachael Griffin · Dorset
A similar concern from this report was raised again 1 time later. See the linked reports.
The coroner's concerns
1. ambulance staff taking meal breaks simultaneously
“During the inquest evidence was heard that: i. At the time of Miss [name redacted] death, the South West Ambulance Service Trust (SWAST) did not operate staggered shifts for their ambulance staff which meant that their meal time breaks to be taken in line with European Working Time Directives, fell at a similar time. The result of this was that the number of available ambulances running at certain times was significantly reduced. On the evening of Miss [name redacted], death there were 14 ambulances running”
2. non-staggered shift patterns causing simultaneous meal breaks
“Ihave concerns with regard to the following: i. Due to the non-staggering of shift patterns of ambulance crews within Ambulance Service Trusts, there could be increased delays in attending emergency calls due to ambulance staff taking meal breaks at the same time.”
3. lack of staggered shift guidance
“I therefore request that a review is undertaken of the guidance given to Ambulance Service Trusts regarding the structuring of their rota system to stagger shifts which in turn will stagger meal breaks to ensure as many resources, as possible, are available at any one time.”
Linked reports
Closely relatedConfidence 0.80 · moderate
This report
“Due to the non-staggering of shift patterns of ambulance crews within Ambulance Service Trusts, there could be increased delays in attending emergency calls due to ambulance staff taking meal breaks at the same time.”
Later report
“each crew has to take a 30 minute meal break within their meal break window (this being three hours after their shift starts). If the crews reach the end of their meal break window without having taken a break they are automatically stood down and are unavailable to allocate calls to”
Responses
2017-0401-Response-by-Department-of-Health.pdf ↗· Department of Health and Social Care
Stated action
“The AACE will ensure that the National Directors of Operations Group is made aware of your concerns and remind them of the need to regularly review rostering arrangements.”