The region's ambulance service has come out of the 'special measures' it was put into amid bullying and sexual harassment concerns.

National health chiefs said the East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) had made significant improvements to improve leadership, culture, and safety for staff.

In 2020, inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found 13 East of England Ambulance Service staff had been reported to police for inappropriate behaviour towards other staff and patients, including sexual harassment allegations.

The trust was plunged into special measures after inspectors found evidence of bullying and sexual harassment and a referral was made to the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

The commission said the trust had breached the Equality Act 2010 by not addressing serious incidents of sexual abuse against both patients and staff.

Norwich Evening News: The East of England Ambulance Trust has come out of special measuresThe East of England Ambulance Trust has come out of special measures (Image: Simon Finlay)

Being in special measures meant the trust, which covers Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, was subject to increased scrutiny and was given a package of support measures to tackle the issues raised.

NHS England has recognised the improvements which have been made since then, with the trust removed from the National Recovery Support Programme.

A CQC report published in July 2022, showed there had been improvements and recognised the trust’s efforts to improve leadership, culture, and safety for staff, although it remained in special measures.

Since February 2023, the CQC has also lifted four conditions on EEAST's license. There are three remaining which trust bosses hope will be lifted soon.

Norwich Evening News: Tom Abell, chief executive of East of England Ambulance Service TrustTom Abell, chief executive of East of England Ambulance Service Trust (Image: East of England Ambulance Service Trust)

Tom Abell, the trust's chief executive, said: “This is a major milestone for EEAST, and it’s all down to the hard work and commitment of our people.

“We have made much progress since I joined the trust over two years ago. When I joined, I made clear it would take time to tackle longstanding cultural and organisational issues.

“Although we have made good progress, we know there is still work to do to provide consistently excellent service to our communities.”