Shockwaves hit the NHS ambulance service after two ambulance staff reportedly took their own lives within weeks of each other.
Tragic Losses at Bristol Emergency Operations Centre
Just weeks ago, 20-year-old emergency medical dispatcher Catarina “Cat” Couto died. Cat was a well-loved member of the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) based at the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in Bristol.
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In July, 33-year-old paramedic and clinical team leader Tomos Griffiths, a father of two who worked alongside Cat, also died by suicide. Both were “hugely respected” and “known for their warmth and kindness,” according to William Lee, Assistant Director of Operations – Emergency Operations Centres.
Pressure Cooker Job Fueling Mental Health Crisis
The Bristol EOC handles 999 calls for regions including Swindon, Wiltshire, and the West Country, dispatching emergency help around the clock. Staff say the relentless workloads and chronic understaffing have created a toxic environment where mental health support falls short.
