Ex-North West Ambulance Service paramedic took pictures of decomposed body to send to colleagues
The former paramedic said he would be “distraught” if something similar happened to his own family.
A former North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) paramedic has admitted taking pictures of a decomposed body and sending them to colleagues.
Joshua Sharp - who worked in Lancashire - was reported to the Health and Care Professionals Tribunal Service (HCPTS) on March 2022 by NWAS, and self-referred on April 1, 2022 over the same matter.
A two-day hearing concluded on June 12, and a decision on his future has now been issued.
He no longer works for NWAS, which has reassured patients and the public that it takes matters of professionalism, patient dignity and confidentiality “extremely seriously”.
The issue
The hearing heard that on February 4, 2022 - while working for NWAS - Mr Sharp attended an unnamed location with Colleague C. He found that a deceased patient was present, seemingly in a state of decomposition. Mr Sharp then proceeded to take one or more photographs of the dead patient.
On the same day, he showed the images to Colleague A. He then shared the images with Colleague B on WhatsApp with the message: ‘Don’t send it about, I’d rather not get sacked.’ Also on February 4 2022, Mr Sharp shared the images with Colleague C on Facebook Messenger.
“I’m probably going to get sacked for this”
The next day Mr Sharp was advised by a colleague to delete the images and also to tell those that he shared them with to delete them from their devices. He followed the advice, deleted his copy images and messaged Colleague B saying: “Please don’t send on, I’ve been told I’m probably going to get sacked for this.’”
Mr Sharp, whose working locations are unknown, also messaged Colleague C on Facebook Messenger: “Make been told to delete them pics, going to get sacked if management and going to get kicked off course if uni find out.” In a further message that day to Colleague C, he wrote: “Or if anyone does ask, you took them yourself.”
During the hearing, Mr Slack, representing the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC), explained that during the Trust’s internal investigation, Mr Sharp admitted that he took two photographs of the deceased patient, saying that this was an error of judgement. He is reported to have panicked and regretted asking Colleague C to take the blame for the photos.
Mr Sharp admitted he had had been responsible for misconduct, but did not admit that his fitness to practise was currently impaired.
In a reflective piece written last month he admitted his “full acceptance” of his action and remorse. He said: “Taking photographs of a deceased patient was a breach of dignity, trust, and professional boundaries. Sharing those images was a further serious failing.
“Attempting to conceal my actions then compounded the seriousness of the original misconduct. I recognise that the public must be able to trust paramedics to act with integrity, professionalism, and respect for patients at all times, including after death. My actions fell far short of that.”
He also said he would be “distraught” if something similar happened to his own family.
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Dismissed
Mr Sharp was suspended by NWAS in February 2022 while a workplace investigation took place, and then dismissed in September 2022. With a family to support, it is reported that he went onto work in an adult A&E department undertaking triage work, before moving to a role closer to home within a primary care network, starting in February 2024. His current role mainly involves acute home visits, usually for elderly patients who cannot attend the practice. He also carries out ward rounds in local care homes and has established a men’s health clinic.
“Deplorable”
Mr Slack said that fellow paramedics would find the actions “deplorable” and submitted that Mr Sharp had breached a fundamental principle of the profession in failing to accord respect to the deceased’s remains. Furthermore, he had not treated his colleagues in a professional manner.
Decision
The tribunal panel also considered that Mr Sharp’s conduct would undermine public trust and confidence in the profession. A report says that the reaction of the deceased’s relatives was unknown but “It was likely to be distressing and destructive of their confidence in being treated with care, respect, and dignity, as they rightly deserved.”
In determining that the action amounted to serious professional misconduct, the panel also acknowledged that: “It was not simply an intention to mislead any workplace investigation regarding the origin of the images. It was an attempt to have another colleague shoulder the blame with whatever consequences came their way.”
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Sanction
The panel took into account Mr Sharp’s remorse and insight. They concluded that a suspension order would be disproportionate and a strike-off “would plainly be excessive”. The Panel decided to impose a Caution Order for a period of three years.
NWAS
A NWAS spokesman said: “The individual concerned has not worked for NWAS since 2022.
“We want to reassure patients and the public that we take matters of professionalism, patient dignity and confidentiality extremely seriously. Our staff are expected to uphold the highest standards at all times, and there are clear policies and safeguards in place to ensure this.”