‘Fake’ paramedic, 21, arrested after ‘treating more than 100 patients’
He was reportedly a trainee with the London Ambulance Service who 'went rogue' after failing his medical exams
COPS are probing claims a 21-year-old man operated as a "fake" paramedic and treated more than 100 patients.
He was reportedly a trainee with the London Ambulance Service who "went rogue" after failing his medical exams.
The man is said to have responded to 999 calls and "discharged" patients at the scene rather than taking them to hospital, the reports.
He is believed to been sacked from the ambulance service.
The case since been referred to Scotland Yard and LAS has said it has contacted patients affected by the incident.
Cops have questioned the 21-year-old on suspicion of fraud and a number of other offences including assault and burglary - which relate to potentially unlawful physical contact with patients and entering homes under false pretences.
The Metropolitan Police have said an investigation was launched after the incident was reported in July and a man was arrested in Hornchurch two months later.
In a statement to The Sun Online, Scotland Yard said: "In July 2018 police at Lambeth were contacted by an organisation regarding concerns about the actions of one of their staff members.
"An investigation was launched and following inquiries, on September 27 a man was arrested at an address in Hornchurch, Essex.
"The 21-year-old was arrested on suspicion of fraud, burglary, theft by employee, assault by beating, dangerous driving, driving otherwise in accordance of license, and driving without insurance.
"He was taken into custody at a south London police station and later released under investigation. Inquiries are ongoing."
The London Ambulance Service said it launched an "internal investigation, informed the police and contacted patients affected" when they became aware of the incident.
A spokeswoman for LAS told The Sun Online: "We take our responsibilities to patients extremely seriously.
"As soon as we became aware of the activities of this individual, we initiated a full internal investigation, informed the police and contacted patients affected. The individual's employment with us was also immediately ended."
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She continued: "Following our investigation, we have improved, and will continue to improve, our security, systems and processes.
"We continue to work closely with our Commissioners, NHSI, the CQC and the Metropolitan Police Service, who are now conducting a criminal investigation.
"Changes designed to eliminate the possibility of anyone with internal knowledge of our computerised systems being able to misuse them in this way, have already been implemented."
The Care Quality Commission, the NHS watchdog, told The Sun Online that it carried out a "two-day unannounced focused inspection at the London Ambulance Service" following the incident.
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