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Social Distancing Fears Raised At 999 Call Centre

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A 999 call centre staffer in the East Midlands has described being “terrified” to go to work after raising concerns about coronavirus social-distancing measures.

Questions have also been raised after pictures were published publicly onto the East Midlands Ambulance Service’s Facebook page, showing staff members standing and sitting closely together – despite guidelines from Public Health England stating that “spaces in the workplace... [should be] optimised to allow social distancing to occur, wherever possible”.

One employee, who works at the service’s Lincoln operations centre, said: “I’m terrified, to be perfectly honest. I’ve spoken to colleagues who have been in tears – not just out of worry for themselves, but their loved ones who they’re going home to every day.

“Some adjustments have been made, but the way the office is set up in some areas you’re well within two metres from the nearest colleague.

“We all hot-desk, so you have to just sit wherever you can and wipe down your desk with an antibacterial wipe. All day there’s a constant movement of people starting and finishing their shifts.”

A spokesperson for EMAS said the service was “responding at pace” to the rapidly evolving situation.

Attention has also been drawn to posts on the service’s Facebook page, which show operation centre staff sitting or standing well within the two-metre range advised by the government to maintain social distancing.

Pictures uploaded to the East Midland Ambulance Service's Facebook page.
Pictures uploaded to the East Midland Ambulance Service's Facebook page.

A spokesperson for the service has apologised for the “mixed messages” conveyed by the pictures, which show workers clearly stood or sat closely together despite social distancing guidelines.

EMAS’ director of operations Ben Holdaway: “In our attempts to boost staff morale and thank individuals and colleagues for their generosity and kindness during this incredibly difficult time, we recognise it was a...

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