A PARAMEDIC working for South West Ambulance Service Trust has been suspended for 'deplorable' conduct after it was found that he sent a vulnerable patient explicit texts.

The Health and Care Professions Tribunal heard that Christopher Wood was called to the home of the patient on May 7 2017 to attend her cut hand.

Minutes after leaving he contacted her on her personal mobile, whose number he said he had memorised when she gave it. "The Registrant then began to send Patient A text messages, some of which were of a very explicit sexual nature," the tribunal heard. "The messages were sent over a number of weeks and were unwelcome."

The tribunal also heard that Mr Wood tried to pressurise the patient into meeting socially. Its report said: "Patient A felt uncomfortable and wanted the messages to stop. She found the experience distressing."

The tribunal said it was in no doubt that: "The facts admitted and found proved in this case amounted to a serious departure of the standards expected of a paramedic."

Mr Wood accepted that his fitness to practice was impaired at the time that he sent Patient A the text messages and was at: "Pains to explain his shame and his appreciation that that he had not only let down Patient A by his misconduct but had brought the profession and the HCPC into disrepute by his behaviour."

He also explained that he'd allowed himself to be overwhelmed by 'stress and overwork' as he 'tried to make an impression in a new and demanding role'.

Mr Wood told the tribunal he had now 'adjusted his work life balance' and attended courses including Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults, Level 3, and Maintaining Professionalism.

The tribunal also heard from a number of his colleagues who spoke of his professionalism since the incidents.

However, the tribunal felt the misconduct warranted an interim six-month suspension in order to protect the public. It will be reviewed in August.