Shildon family who lost daughter share 'anger and…

Shildon family who lost daughter share 'anger and frustration' over delayed review of ambulance service 'cover-ups'

Parents who lost two children to suicide are increasingly angry and frustrated at the delays to the publication of a report into alleged "cover-ups" regarding their daughter's care by North East Ambulance Service.

Quinn Evie Milburn-Beadle died in December 2018 at just 17. Her case has been among those highlighted by whistleblowers as featuring issues with North East Ambulance Service (NEAS)'s disclosures to coroner's courts - and this has been subject to a review led by Dame Marianne Griffiths.

Dame Marianne was announced as chair of the review last August, and initially the review was expected to last several months. The terms of reference were published shortly before Christmas.

Quinn's death, just minutes from her front door in Shildon, County Durham was almost five years ago. Paramedics arriving on the scene raised concerns about the actions of one of their colleagues - Gavin Wood - who had been the first paramedic to attend to Quinn Evie. Earlier this year, Mr Wood was struck off by the Health and Care Practitioners Tribunal Service (HCPTS) over his conduct in Quinn Evie's case.

The HCPTS found that allegations he had failed to provide appropriate life-support care were proven. The fact that an internal investigation took place into Mr Wood's actions was not initially disclosed to the Quinn Evie's family, something only revealed at the first inquest into her death.

L-R David Beadle, Quinn Beadle and Tracey Beadle (Mirrorpix)

Quinn Evie's case is one of a number raised by whistleblowers including Paul Calvert, formerly of NEAS' coroners and claims team. An investigation by the external firm Audit One found that, in spring 2020 - "the coroner is not being made aware of concerns and / or investigations being carried out by the trust in a timely fashion".

NEAS accepted there had been "historical failings" but said these had been resolved. Following media coverage of the case, NHS England commissioned a review - led by Dame Marianne Griffiths, formerly chief executive of the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust. Last year, NEAS chief executive Helen Ray said the organisation would "fully engage" with the review.

In February, NEAS bosses said they were expecting the review to be published within weeks, but this has yet to be the case. Quinn Evie's parents - David and Tracey Beadle - have been told by NHS England that a months-long "fact-checking" process is now taking place.

However, David and Tracey told ChronicleLive they were "angry and frustrated" with the delays - and concerned delays could see public attention on the alleged wrongdoing fade. David said: "It's frustrating. We feel it's as if they are doing this deliberately now, so the media will go away. It feels like that way to us."

Tracey added: "What facts do they need to check? It's Dame Marianne's report, who else is checking the facts? Why?"

And David continued: "And it's just to do with those cases raised like Quinn's - so why don't we get a copy to fact-check? We should be allowed to see both copies - before, and after, checking."

The couple's son Dyllon, Quinn's elder brother - also took his own life just months on from Quinn's death. He was 21. As part of efforts to remember both children, David and Tracey founded the Quinn's Retreat charity.

It is understood that the "investigative enquiries" are complete, but that a factual accuracy check with stakeholders is ongoing. The Beadles have been told NHS England is working towards publishing the review in May - but a firmer date was not forthcoming.

NHS England said an update would be shared when appropriate and did not comment further.

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