New data from the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) has revealed that UK ambulance services are on course for the highest rate of reported incidents of violence, aggression and abuse directed at their people ever recorded in the sector with over 20,000 incidents expected across the fourteen UK ambulance services in the 2024-25 financial year.
Responding to the news today from AACE on the increase in violent incidents against ambulance staff, Dr Rosie Benneyworth, our Chief Executive says:
“It is shocking to hear that frontline ambulance staff face unprecedented levels of violence, abuse and aggression, whilst they are trying to help people in the most urgent of circumstances. No-one should go to work worrying that they could be attacked or put in harm’s way. It is also extremely troubling that the data shows that volatile situations can worsen and staff can experience further abuse on the basis of their race and sexuality.
“When we have spoken to staff during our investigations, we have heard just how harmful it is for their wellbeing when they do not feel safe in their working environment. It is important that healthcare organisations support the ambulance service as they undertake this crucial work – implementing proactive safety measures and talking openly to the public to encourage behaviour change are important steps in reducing distressing occurrences of violence and aggression. Ambulance staff should be free to work without fear and focus on providing vital and life-saving care to their patients.”
Related articles
Unnecessary 999 calls from prisons lead to a ‘significant’ loss in ambulance crew time
Read article
New report charts safety risks associated with managing patients with known ‘difficult airways’ in emergency situations
Read article
