Hundreds of London paramedics were under investigation today after shock allegations about cheating in their in-house qualifying exams.
The London Ambulance Service called in external investigators after a whistleblower made claims about exams between 2008 and 2012.
About 850 paramedics qualified via this route, with 600 to 650 currently working for the emergency service.
Exam papers were apparently made available to students prior to exams.
London Ambulance Service chief executive Ann Radmore told the Standard: “It’s just one allegation but we take it very seriously.”
A clinical expert has been brought in to assess the “clinical competence” of paramedics under investigation.
Asked whether Londoners were at risk, Ms Radmore said: "I believe Londoners can be confident in what we are providing. They can also be confident we are taking this very seriously."
The service has 1,700 paramedics out of 3,200 clinical staff, which also includes emergency medical technicians and A&E support staff.
"It’s not a theoretical job, it’s a clinical job and the care they deliver to patients is tested every day they are caring for Londoners," Ms Radmore said.
