Paramedic suspended amid claims he ‘faked positive Covid test’
A PARAMEDIC has been suspended over claims he faked a positive Covid test.
Steve Edge, 49, allegedly drew a line on a lateral flow test to scoop a couple of days in isolation while awaiting results of a more accurate PCR test.
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West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) have suspended Edge while they investigate the allegations.
The paramedic of 18 years strongly denies any wrongdoing and believes the internal probe will clear his name.
A source told The Sun: “We’re all waiting on the outcome of the investigation.
"Steve is adamant he has done nothing wrong and the truth will out.
“His station manager heard rumours that he had simply marked himself down as positive with a pencil and launched an investigation but nothing has been proven yet.
“Considering the strain we’re all under as a service you’d seriously hope this wasn’t the case because it would be incredibly selfish.”
Edge was suspended earlier this month as the NHS dealt with the height of the third wave.
A source said: "Steve did a lateral flow test and the result was positive. They can be unreliable so then he had a swab test and the results were negative, so he went into work as usual.
"After a 12-hour shift, he was told he was being suspended while an investigation was carried out. The disciplinary process has now dragged on because other staff have been off with Covid.
"He just wants to clear his name and get back to work."
The West Midlands is one of the worst hit regions with Sandwell and Wolverhampton both in the top five areas with the highest rates last week.
WMAS experienced its busiest day on record on January 4 with 4,383 calls in 24 hours. The previous high was 4,001 calls in March 2018.
When approached by The Sun, Edge of Brown Edge, Staffs., confirmed he has been suspended.
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He added: “I can’t say anything else.”
WMAS said: “We are aware of the allegations made about a member of our staff.
“West Midlands Ambulance Service expects the highest standards from its staff and is holding a full investigation into the circumstances."
