South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) has dismissed three staff members for unsafe driving, reinforcing its clear commitment to road safety and upholding the legacy of student paramedic Alice Clark.

Following two separate incidents last year involving unsafe driving in Trust vehicles, the staff were dismissed following thorough investigations in line with SECAmb’s clear standards and procedures.

The incidents involved irresponsible driving on a motorway and two staff members driving unsafely while returning to base. Both incidents were raised via the Trust’s Driving Standards Speak Up! Portal, a key initiative introduced following the tragic death of NQP, Alice Clark, while on duty in a fatal ambulance collision.

The Speak Up portal empowers staff to report concerns confidently, ensuring that lessons are learned, concerns are acted upon and staff feel supported to speak up in the interests of safety.

In both cases, concerns were promptly reported, enabling the Trust to take immediate action in line with its clear standards and expectations. SECAmb has emphasised that safety of patients, staff and the public remain its absolute priority and behaviour that compromises this will not be tolerated.

Since Alice’s death, SECAmb has strengthened its focus on driving standards through enhanced training, clearer expectations and ongoing engagement with staff. Keeping Alice’s legacy at the heart of this work remains central to driving improvement across the organisation.

This includes sharing learning through internal communications and the recent launch of the ‘Alice’s Legacy: Driving Change’ podcast, where Alice’s family reflect on her life, the impact of unsafe driving and the importance of embedding safer practices.

Driving Standards Manager for SECAmb, Huw Watts said: “The safety of our patients, staff and the public is non-negotiable. Where standards fall short, we will take decisive action.

“Alice’s death was a tragedy that continues to shape how we think and act. We are determined to ensure that her legacy drives real, lasting change by supporting our staff, strengthening accountability and making it clear that speaking up and driving safely are essential to the care we provide every day.

“Our focus remains on supporting all staff to uphold the highest standards of safe and professional driving at all times.”

SECAmb continues to strengthen its focus on learning, transparency and prevention, ensuring strong systems are in place not only to respond to concerns, but to stop incidents before they happen and support staff in delivering safe, professional care on every journey.

*One individual has exercised their right of appeal and that internal process is ongoing.