AN INDEPENDENT investigation will be carried out into allegations of bullying and harassment of ambulance staff.

The study into South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) will be done by Professor Duncan Lewis from the University of Plymouth and the findings are expected in the summer.

Earlier this week a national newspaper reported claims of a “culture of bullying” at the trust, with staff subjected to abuse and harassment at an operations centre in Kent.

Secamb is currently in special measures after being given an inadequate rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC)last year.

The trust said the investigation had been planned for weeks and was not a result of the newspaper report.

He said: “We take the issue of bullying and harassment very seriously and have been working hard to address this area of concern which was highlighted by the CQC in its report on the trust.

“This work includes improving the internal avenues for serious concerns to be raised and more structured support for staff.”

In response to the story, the GMB union described the trust managers as “unaccountable” and called on the government to intervene.

The Ambulance Staff Charity, which supports serving and retired ambulance personnel in urgent need, is urging staff employed by the trust to get in contact if they need help or support.

Chairman Roy Norris said: “While we are unable to comment on the particular claims made, we have unfortunately been made aware of bullying and harassment occurring to ambulance staff throughout the UK.

“We are confident staff employed by Secamb, whether in contact centres or working on the front line, do an amazing job under sometimes very difficult circumstances. As a result, we are dismayed to hear of any such difficulties that may be happening at Secamb.

“We are also extremely conscious of the negative impact that such publicity may have on all ambulance staff as well as the general public.

“We would therefore like to urge any member of staff at Secamb who wishes to talk to someone independently and in confidence to get in touch with us.”