Paramedic struck off for 'predatory' behaviour

James Birdseye quit South Central Ambulance Service in late 2019 following a suspension

A paramedic who "exploited" a medical emergency involving a student in an attempt to have a sexual relationship with her has been struck off.

James Birdseye, from Berkshire, worked for South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) when the student paramedic complained about him and his conduct in June 2019.

A panel heard he conducted a clinical exam on the student without her consent after she unexpectedly started to bleed and made inappropriate and flirtatious comments.

Mr Birdseye, who quit SCAS after an investigation in November 2019 and was not working as a paramedic, said he frequently reflected on his actions.

The Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service (HCPTS) said he had told the student he "slept with other students and that his wife did not mind", or words to that effect, during a shift.

A panel last year found Mr Birdseye's behaviour was "predatory in nature" because the student paramedic was new to the workplace.

It found he "deliberately manipulated the crew rota sheets to ensure he was working with her" and that other comments "were said in an attempt to establish a future sexual relationship" with her.

'Exploit the situation'

The panel heard during the medical emergency, Mr Birdseye offered to remove her tampon and told her he wanted to see her naked.

It also heard he kissed the student on her cheek and offered to take her out for a meal and drinks during the incident.

The panel said Mr Birdseye used the medical emergency as "an opportunity to exploit the situation to gain sexual gratification".

That panel suspended him for a year, but he has since been struck off the medical register after a review hearing earlier this month.

Mr Birdseye said he had been "the subject of much abuse" after details of his case were published online, but the HCPTS said he had not "adequately addressed his clinical failings or his misconduct".

In a statement he provided for the review hearing, Mr Birdseye said he was "deeply regretful" and apologised for any harm or distress he caused to the student.

He added: "I displayed an overfamiliarity with them that crossed the boundaries of a normal professional relationship and I acted in a manner than I am not proud of."

Mr Birdseye said his behaviour "fell drastically short" of "what the profession expected of me", but also "as a person, a mentor and a father of teenage children".