Honley paramedic Angela Armitage accused of patient thefts

Oct 27 2009 By Neil Atkinson

SHE worked in the front line of care for more than 20 years.

But a tribunal heard that Honley Ambulance Station paramedic Angela Armitage was stealing from patients.

There were allegations that over a six-year period, she was suspected of rifling through patients’ bags while in the ambulance taking them to hospitals.

The stunning allegations emerged yesterday at a Health Professions Council disciplinary hearing.

The tribunal was told there were three separate police inquiries into the allegations, but no charges were ever brought.

And paramedics who feared their colleague was stealing from patients were encouraged not to lodge complaints against her, the hearing was told.

Armitage repeatedly rifled through patients’ belongings while based at Honley ambulance station, it was said.

Colleagues at the Yorkshire Ambulance Service eventually reported Armitage to the Health Professions Council and refused to work with her.

Matthew Crosland, a senior paramedic at the Honley station, at Moorbottom Road, said: “There was an interview on October 24 last year with one of our managers.

“We explained that colleagues had ongoing concerns about her conduct.

“Although there was some sympathy for our situation, we were told that without further evidence we wouldn’t be able to proceed.

“This was said off the record. We were encouraged not to proceed with the complaint.

“It was suggested we could be open to legal proceedings ourselves if we went ahead without further evidence”.

But Mr Crosland said by then the situation at the station was so bad, staff were left with no alternative but to report Armitage.

He said: “Staff were getting concerned about working with her. Some staff were very, very uncomfortable. Some even transferred from Honley.