Patient Dies After Paramedic Diverts Ambulance From Hospital to Return to Office Because His Shift Was Over

A 69-year-old man died in Stockton, England after a paramedic drove his ambulance back to the lot rather than a hospital because his shift was over. The North East Ambulance Service Trust
has suspended both the paramedic and a technician.

The diversion made the trip 30 minutes rather than 10 minutes because the paramedic was off duty.

In the United States, the company would be looking at major liability for such an act. Under respondeat superior, it is liable for such decisions. While this might violate company policy, it is not a “frolic or detour” where the actions of the employee would not be attributed to the employer.

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