A paramedic has been struck off the professional register after he conducted an unauthorised intimate examination and made sexually inappropriate remarks to a student colleague during a medical emergency.
James Birdseye, formerly of South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust, faced a disciplinary hearing by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) following disturbing allegations about his conduct during a shift on 22 June 2019. The tribunal panel described his actions as “predatory in nature”, concluding that he exploited a vulnerable situation for his own sexual gratification.
According to evidence heard at the hearing, Mr Birdseye made several highly inappropriate comments to the student throughout their shift, including stating that he “wanted to see her naked” and that he had “slept with other students”. Matters escalated when the student began experiencing unexpected vaginal bleeding. Without consent, Mr Birdseye conducted a clinical examination, pulled down her trousers and underwear, and made remarks about her genital area.
The panel found that Mr Birdseye’s actions were not only grossly unprofessional but amounted to sexual harassment and emotional abuse. They noted that he kissed the student on the cheek during the incident and even offered to take her out for drinks and a meal — further contributing to what was described as a gross breach of professional boundaries.
The student, known as Student A, had only recently joined the service and was new to the working environment. The panel determined that Birdseye had manipulated the crew rota sheets to ensure he would be paired with her that day, indicating a level of premeditation.
“The panel finds that the registrant’s conduct on 22 June 2019 was predatory in nature,” the HCPC report stated. “There was a clear power imbalance, and his repeated comments across the day were made in an attempt to establish a future sexual relationship with Student A. This was not an isolated incident.”
Birdseye was initially suspended by the ambulance trust four days after the incident came to light and subsequently resigned on 4 November 2019 following the conclusion of the internal investigation.
During a review hearing held earlier this month, Birdseye issued a written apology expressing remorse for his behaviour. “I am deeply regretful of my actions and apologise for any harm or distress I caused to Student A,” he wrote. “I accept that I displayed an overfamiliarity which crossed the boundaries of a normal professional relationship.”
He acknowledged that his behaviour fell well below professional standards: “I did not give enough thought to the impact that my behaviour could have on Student A, who was in a vulnerable state. I concede that my behaviour fell drastically short not only of what the profession expected of me but what I should have expected of myself as a person, a mentor and a father.”
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Despite attending a course on professional boundaries after the incident, the HCPC concluded that Mr Birdseye’s fitness to practise remained impaired. They pointed to the serious nature of the misconduct and its lasting emotional impact on the student.
“The registrant caused emotional harm and unwanted sexual harassment to Student A. This amounted to serious misconduct and an abuse of professional position,” the panel said. “While Mr Birdseye claims he no longer intends to return to practice, this could change in the future. Not restricting him from practice, given the seriousness of the misconduct, would undermine public confidence in both the profession and the HCPC.”
As a result, the tribunal has permanently removed Mr Birdseye’s name from the HCPC register, effectively banning him from working as a paramedic in the UK.
The case raises significant concerns about safeguarding within NHS trusts and the responsibility to protect junior staff and patients alike from abuse of power within emergency services.
