Culture Under Pressure: Frontline Voices on Ambulance Service Reform with Lee McLaren

In February 2023, the National Guardian’s Office dropped a stark
warning: the culture in ambulance trusts across England was
putting both staff wellbeing and patient safety at risk. Fast
forward to this year’s Culture Review of Ambulance Trusts, and
the findings are just as sobering.


According to the 2022 NHS Staff Survey, ambulance services scored
below the national average across all seven People Promise areas,
including inclusion, wellbeing, morale, and leadership. Over 14%
of paramedics reported that their workload was directly damaging
their emotional well-being. And in terms of speaking up? Many
staff who raised concerns said they faced intimidation,
ostracism, or silence. The review also highlights ongoing issues
with bullying, sexual harassment, poor line management, and a
leadership style that too often leans on ‘command and control’
rather than compassion. However, alongside these findings are six
bold recommendations, ranging from improving the speak-up culture
to creating leadership pathways that truly reflect the needs of
frontline staff.


So, in today’s episode, we’re asking, does this report reflect
experience working on the frontline? What’s missing? And what
does genuine culture change look like when you’re the one out
there answering the calls? I’m joined in this interview by Lee
McLaren. Lee is a Paramedic and Practice Educator with the
Ambulance Service. With a focus on human-centric leadership, Lee
advocates for compassionate and effective learning environments.
His work bridges clinical excellence with the development of
future healthcare professionals. You can read the report here:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/culture-review-of-ambulance-trusts/