Paramedic told patient to stop acting 'like a baby'

A paramedic has been struck off for telling a woman suffering a stroke to stop acting "like a baby" and accused them of lying about their pain.

The Healthcare Professionals Tribunal Service heard Rachel Claire Lemonofides made "inappropriate and degrading" comments heard on a 999 call at the woman's home in 2024.

It found Lemonofides was guilty of racially motivated discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity and breached professional boundaries.

The patient underwent emergency surgery at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, and was diagnosed with a brain bleed and abdominal aortic aneurysm. North West Ambulance Service said all patients were "entitled to be treated with dignity and respect".

The service added: "There is no place within our organisation for colleagues who do not uphold those values."

The tribunal was told the paramedic was one of a team of two who responded in January 2024 to a 999 call from the patient, who felt a sharp pain in her chest, "which became unbearable".

Lemonofides' colleague reported that the woman experienced lower back pain as well as discomfort and numbness to her right leg, the hearing was told.

Audio evidence supported allegations that she failed to recognise the seriousness of the patient's condition.

The tribunal heard she shouted at the patient and said: "I do not think this is medical, she is choosing to do this."

Other abusive remarks she allegedly made included: "You are stuck on the floor like a child," and "I am really mad now because people are waiting for this ambulance."

She added: "You are not dying, you have got a bad back," and also said: "This is like the worst behaviour I have seen for a very long time."

The paramedic threatened to leave within a minute if the patient did not get off the floor, the panel was told.

She was heard to ask if the patient practised "black magic".

The panel found her fitness to practise was "impaired" by her misconduct.

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