Paramedics take conviction to Court of Appeal

Monday, 21 October 2024 10:10

An appeal hearing begins today (21 October) for the two Jersey paramedics convicted of failing to provide reasonable care to a patient.

In June, the Royal Court found that John Sutherland and Tom Le Sauteur breached health and safety law by unreasonably delaying the treatment of a man who went into cardiac arrest following a drug overdose.

The court heard the crew had called police for back-up, saying 39 year old Frazer Irvine had refused their help and was behaving aggressively.

The judge said they should have reacted more quickly to changes in his condition.

Following the verdict, there were protests from supporters and fellow medics, while the Unite union, which represents ambulance workers, called for a Judicial review and warned the case would have wider implications for healthcare and emergency workers.

Mr Sutherland and Mr Le Sauteur, who remain suspended from duty pending an internal Ambulance Service investigation, were sentenced to two years conditional discharge and each ordered to pay £500 costs.

The pair vowed to fight their conviction. An online crowdfunding site raised almost £50,000 towards their legal costs.

The Court of Appeal hearing is expected to last two days.