Ambulance workers suffered over 17,000 reported incidents of violence and abuse last year, figures show. Each day, 47 NHS ambulance staff experienced violence, aggression or abuse in 2023, according to the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE). Attacks, nationally, increased more than 120 per cent since records began eight years ago.
There have bee incidents where emergency workers have been sexually assaulted while trying to help people in need. Recorded violence ranged from common assault, kicking, slapping, head-butting and verbal abuse to attacks with knives and weapons, according to the AACE. Alcohol was the most prominent factor, followed by drugs and people in mental health crisis.
A North West Ambulance Service spokesperson said, “Ambulance staff work hard to help the public every day in their times of need, and they should be able to do that without the fear of suffering violence and aggression. “Attacks can have long-lasting effects, mentally and physically, and we do a lot of work to support staff who’ve been victims. “We always encourage them to report incidents no matter the situation and, where appropriate, to work with the police to push for prosecution.
“Additionally, we work closely with the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) to support and promote their anti-violence and aggression campaign ‘Work Without Fear.’” There have bee incidents where emergency workers have been sexually assaulted while trying to help people in need. The AACE and NHS have continued their national communications campaign #WorkWithoutFear in response to rising violence, highlighting the impact of abuse on ambulance workers.
Daren Mochrie, Chair of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) and Chief Executive of North West Ambulance Service, said: “Unfortunately, ambulance staff face the possibility of violence, assault and aggression every time they start a shift. “When they occur, these attacks have a significant and lasting impact on the team member, affecting every aspect of their life. Despite that, ambulance staff continue to turn up for work in order to help and serve their local communities.
“We hope this campaign raises awareness of the impact of this behaviour on individuals, emphasises that it is totally unacceptable in any form and ensures that our staff are treated with the respect they deserve. “The Assaults on Emergency Workers Offences Act 2018 legislation is in place, but we must now see the judiciary consistently using that to issue the most appropriate sentences to those found guilty of committing these appalling crimes.” “Additionally, we work closely with the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) to support and promote their anti-violence and aggression campaign ‘Work Without Fear.
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