New National Police Chaplain commissioned; NHS failing to protect trainee paramedics from harassment, warns report

Every weekday morning we bring you the sector’s freshest news stories, starting today with the news that Revd. Matthew Hopley has been commissioned as the new National Police Chaplain for UK Policing.

There’s also a story on a secret NHS report which outlines how trainee paramedics are not being protected from widespread sexual harassment and racism at work.

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New National Police Chaplain commissioned

A recent commissioning service saw Revd. Matthew Hopley installed as the new National Police Chaplain for UK Policing.

The service took place at the newly opened Trinity Church in central Birmingham where Matthew was previously on staff as a Pastor. More via Emergency Services Times

Police and partners sign historic charter

Police leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to modernising the service and improving outcomes for victims by signing the pioneering UK Police Industry Charter.

Key figures, including Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and Police Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Paul Taylor, signed the charter during the Security and Policing Conference at Farnborough International exhibition and conference centre. More via NPCC

North west specialist medical team reaches 10-year milestone

A committed group of doctors who support incident commanders during major, mass casualty, and complex incidents has marked a decade of working as part of North West Ambulance Service’s response.

The Medical Emergency Response Incident Team (MERIT) was set up in 2014 with MERIT doctors contributing to command and clinical decision-making processes. More via Emergency Services Times

Sir Stephen House won’t face disciplinary proceedings — IOPC

Former Metropolitan Police Service (Met) Deputy Commissioner Sir Stephen House will not face any disciplinary proceedings following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into his conduct during a meeting at New Scotland Yard in 2022, which found there was no indication he may have breached the police standards of professional behaviour. More via IOPC

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service has made good progress but more to do, says inspectorate

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has published a letter outlining its findings in relation to a cause of concern identified during an inspection of Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service between March and April 2023.

The cause of concern related to the service not doing enough since its last inspection to determine its highest-risk premises to inform its risk-based inspection programme. More via HMICFRS

Secret NHS report reveals failure to protect trainee paramedics from sexual harassment and racism

A secret report has warned that the NHS is failing to protect trainee paramedics from widespread sexual harassment and racism at work, The Independent can reveal.

The report found that “extremely alarming” conduct and undermining behaviour are rife in ambulance trusts across the country, with trainees subjected to derogatory comments about their age, ethnicity and appearance in front of patients. More via The Independent

Mind and the Mental Health at Work Commitment

Mental health charity, Mind, has created a framework to guide emergency service workers to adopt proactive, preventative measures that keep people healthy and better equip employers to create an environment where employees can thrive. More via Emergency Services Times

Calls made to overturn recommendation to close air ambulance bases

A recommendation in a report to close Wales Air Ambulance bases at Caernarfon and Welshpool has rightly angered people across north and mid Wales this week.

Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts said she was infuriated by the recommendation to close the Caernarfon and Welshpool bases. More via Cumbrian News