Paul Calvert
| Paul Calvert | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| 🏳️ Nationality | British |
| 💼 Occupation | Whistleblower, former NHS employee |
| Known for | Exposing North East Ambulance Service cover-ups |
Paul Calvert is a British whistleblower known for exposing systemic failings and cover-ups within the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS), an NHS trust in England.[1] His disclosures, beginning in May 2022, revealed that NEAS withheld evidence of paramedic errors in patient deaths, prompting media coverage, a government review, and debates on NHS accountability and whistleblower protections.[2]
Early Life and Career
A former police officer, he later worked at NEAS as a coroner’s officer, preparing reports for coronial inquests.[2] His employment with NEAS ended in December 2022 following his whistleblowing activities.[3] Whistleblowing In May 2022, Calvert leaked evidence to The Sunday Times, alleging NEAS concealed errors in over 90 patient deaths, including those of Andrew Edward Watson and Quinn Evie Milburn-Beadle.[1] He expanded these claims through interviews with BBC Newsnight, BBC Sounds, and BBC News at Six.[2] Among his leaks was the 2020 Interim Audit One report, kept secret by NEAS until the Information Commissioner’s Office ordered its release in November 2024.[4] He accused NEAS of bullying and blackmail, allegations raised in Parliament by Labour MP Wes Streeting during Urgent Questions on 23 May 2022.[5]
Impact
Calvert’s disclosures led to several outcomes:[not in citation given]
Government Review: NHS England launched an independent review chaired by Dame Marianne Griffiths, published in July 2023, which confirmed NEAS failings but was criticized for its limited scope by Calvert and affected families.[6]
Regulatory Responses: His NDA rejection fueled debate on gagging clauses, prompting the Solicitors Regulation Authority to issue warnings to lawyers in 2023.[7] Griffiths recommended NHS England restrict NDAs.[6] The Nursing and Midwifery Council and Health and Care Professions Council began fitness-to-practice proceedings, with some clinicians struck off by 2025.[8]
Inquests: At least two inquests, including Watson’s (scheduled for May 2025), were reopened.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "The 999 cover-up that shames the NHS". The Sunday Times. 22 May 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "North East Ambulance Service whistleblower 'treated like dirt'". BBC News. 8 June 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
- ↑ "Ambulance whistleblower crowdfunding North East campaign after losing job". Chronicle Live. 22 December 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "North East Ambulance Service told to publish secret report after ICO ruling". Chronicle Live. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
- ↑ "North East Ambulance Service". Hansard. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Independent Review into North East Ambulance Service" (PDF). NHS England. July 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
- ↑ "Solicitors who drew up gagging clauses for ambulance service warned". Chronicle Live. 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
- ↑ "Former NEAS bosses face NMC questions over death cover-ups". The Northern Echo. 28 February 2025. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
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