Ambulance bosses have suspended a worker after claims that emergency vehicle documents were not kept up to date, writes Andrew Ffrench.

The worker has been suspended on full pay while an investigation takes place. His case is expected to be discussed at a trust board meeting on Friday.

A full check of documents covering 15 Oxfordshire ambulances, and numerous passenger transport vehicles which do not carry blue lights, was made after a fatal accident. A 74-year-old woman died in hospital after being struck by a 999 ambulance in London Road, Headington, in January. Police carried out extensive checks to the vehicle, which was found to be completely roadworthy.

Its MoT documents and those of another ambulance involved in a more minor accident were fully in order.

But the accident prompted executives at trust headquarters at the Churchill Hospital in Headington to order a complete review of documents for the whole fleet. They allegedly discovered that documents for another ambulance had not been properly kept up to date.

Ambulance Service NHS Trust controls assurance manager Nick Vanozzi said: "An investigation has been launched and a member of staff has been suspended. We would like to reassure the public that all our vehicles are completely roadworthy."

Terry Elms, chairman of the trust board, said: "The fatal accident showed how crucial it is that our vehicles are very well maintained."

Story date: Monday 26 April

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