NSW Ambulance has apologised to a female paramedic after it failed to protect her from repeated sexual harassment from a former Upper Hunter station manager.
Newcastle District Court heard this week that the service did "nothing whatsoever' to intervene after Annette Henry reported that her boss, John Charles Doepel, was constantly sexually harassing her.
The harassment, over 18 months, was that bad Ms Henry regularly hid out in the women's toilets.
A NSW Ambulance spokesman acknowledged on Thursday the service failed Ms Henry.
"NSW Ambulance is deeply sorry for the distress experienced during the long resolution of this matter," he said.
"After allegations were internally raised in relation to this matter, NSW Ambulance removed Mr Doepel from operational duties and initiated an employment investigation. He resigned before the investigation was completed."
The Newcastle Herald understands Doepel remained on the road for months after the investigation began.
It's also understood that the initial report made by Ms Henry about Doepel's offending was not investigated because NSW Ambulance lost the complaint.
The spokesman acknowledged there were issues within the Hunter arm of the NSW Ambulance that the organisation was working to address.
"New leadership was sent to the Hunter region with a clear mandate to effect cultural change and NSW Ambulance is well-advanced in addressing those issues and a number of reviews have been completed," he said.
"NSW Ambulance is committed to creating a positive, productive and respectful workplace culture free from sexual harassment and have a number of initiatives and programs in place."
Judge Tim Gartelmann, SC, dismissed an appeal by Doepel against his conviction for intimidation on Wednesday, finding there was no evidence that his post traumatic stress disorder, caused by more than 30 years as a paramedic, was linked to his offending.
"The offence reflects a pattern of conduct over a period of about 18 months toward the victim comprising repeated unwanted sexual advances, innuendo and references," he said.
"The conduct concerned might effectively be summarised as sustained sexual harassment over an extended period." The matter was adjourned to December for sentence,
Doepel admitted he would follow Ms Henry "around the station constantly for no reason" and regularly asked her or guessed what colour underwear she was wearing.
He once brought a sign to work which read: "Liquor in the front, poker in the back". After showing it to Ms Henry, he asked if she "liked it like that".
The former intensive care paramedic and educator often made "sexually suggestive comments" about women he encountered during shifts, including that "she would go off" and "she would be good".
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