Ambulance Worker's Unfair Dismissal Claim Rejected Over Patient Bribery Incident
An employment tribunal has firmly rejected an ambulance worker's claim of unfair dismissal after he was sacked for giving a patient £20 following an accidental injury, with the judge ruling the payment constituted an attempted bribe. The case, which has drawn significant attention to patient safety and professional conduct standards, involved John La, a former employee of Community Ambulance Service Ltd.
The Incident at Hammersmith Hospital
The events unfolded in West London when Mr. La was transporting a patient from Hammersmith Hospital after a dialysis session. According to tribunal documents, Mr. La was wheeling the patient forward down a pavement slope—contrary to his training, which specifies wheeling patients backwards for safety. As the wheelchair's wheels hit the ground, the patient was flung from his seat, sustaining injuries including wounds to his amputation site and potentially a broken finger.
The patient reported bleeding heavily from the fall, with specific harm to his toes and amputation area. In response, Mr. La, assisted by a hospital porter, lifted the patient back into the wheelchair, applied plasters to the injuries, and offered to take him to A&E, which the patient refused.
The £20 Payment and Bribery Allegation
Critical to the case was Mr. La's decision to leave £20 with the patient, allegedly to "buy lunch." The patient stated he was asked not to report the incident, leading to accusations of bribery. Judge Heather, in her ruling, emphasized that even if Mr. La had good intentions, such as helping with lunch or bandages, providing money to a recently injured patient could reasonably be interpreted as an attempt to bribe him into silence.
Mr. La later reported the incident but omitted the payment detail, describing it only as a "scratch" in his Incident Report Form. This omission, coupled with the bribery allegation, formed the basis for his dismissal for gross misconduct, including non-compliance with health and safety protocols and bringing the company into disrepute.
Employment Tribunal Findings
At the tribunal held in Watford last August, Mr. La argued his dismissal was too harsh, contending there was insufficient evidence of bribery and that the handling error did not amount to gross misconduct. However, Community Ambulance Service Ltd defended its decision, citing Mr. La's prior failure of a First Aid at Work assessment in March 2024 and the serious nature of the incident.
Judge Heather concluded that Mr. La was "guilty of gross misconduct and the respondent was entitled to dismiss him without notice." She dismissed his claims of unfair dismissal and breach of contract regarding notice pay, stating they were "not well founded." The amended decision, published this month, also noted Mr. La's employment history with the company since November 2005.
Broader Implications for Healthcare Standards
This case highlights ongoing concerns over patient safety and ethical conduct in healthcare settings. The tribunal's ruling reinforces that actions perceived as bribes, regardless of intent, can have severe professional consequences. It serves as a stark reminder to ambulance and healthcare workers about adhering strictly to training protocols and maintaining transparency in incident reporting.
The patient's subsequent complaint and the investigation that followed underscore the importance of accountability in medical transport services. As healthcare services in West London and beyond continue to face scrutiny, this decision may influence future disciplinary actions and training emphasis on ethical behavior and safety compliance.
