Chelsea Rutledge

While registered as a Paramedic (PA39303):

1) On or around 21 December 2016 you:

a) made inappropriate comments, in that you:

i. advised Patient A “I won’t take you to hospital for the mental health team to deal with you. Mental health in this country stinks, they make you worse. They are f***ing idiots, they are a waste of space, they keep you 6 – 8 hours then they tell you to f***ing go. They do not care what you do next” or words to that effect;

ii. said to Patient A “What will you get out of men? They only want your f***y, they’re shit anyway.” or words to that effect;

iii. stated to Colleague A “are you f***ing stupid or what? You are making up issues that are not needed now” or words to that effect.

iv. Accused Colleague A of lying in relation to Patient A’s PRF;

v. Said to Colleague A he was like your neighbours, who were black and minority ethnic, and smelled like curry, or words to that effect;

vi. Accused Colleague A of stealing possessions from patient homes.

b) Pushed Colleague A;

2) Between November 2016 and 21 December 2016, you displayed inappropriate behaviour towards Colleague A, in that you:

a) On one or more occasions, kicked Colleague A’s leg;

b) On one or more occasions, hit Colleague A;

c) On one or more occasions, called Colleague A names such as ‘b****rd’, ‘a***hole’ and ‘idiot’, or words to that effect;

d) On one or more occasions, referred to colleagues in a derogatory manner.

3) In November and/or December 2016, you made one or more inappropriate comments regarding patients from black and minority ethnic backgrounds in that you:

a) complained about the smell of curry;

b) stated:

(i) “they don’t speak English in their country” or words to that effect;

(ii) “what would they do in their country” or words to that effect”

(iii) "they wouldn't get an ambulance in their country" or words to that effect.

4) On 24 October 2017, at Horsham Magistrates’ Court, you received a conditional discharge in relation to the offence of ‘Assault by Beating’, in relation to a physical altercation involving Person C on 9 May 2017.

5) Your conduct at Particulars 1(a)(v) and/or 3 above was racially motivated.

6) Your actions at any or all of Particulars 1 – 5 above constitute misconduct.

7) By reason of your misconduct, your fitness to practise is impaired.