Recent data reveals alarming rates of assaults on ambulance staff, highlighting a growing concern for their safety while on duty.
Newcastle: A recent investigation has uncovered that over 3,300 ambulance staff have faced assaults in just five years. This includes everything from verbal abuse to physical attacks.
Factors like alcohol, drugs, and mental health issues are often behind these incidents. The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) warns that we might see the highest rates of violence against ambulance staff ever.
Between 2019 and 2024, 3,342 staff members reported abuse. Out of these, 1,216 were due to disruptive behavior, while 934 were verbal attacks. There were also 718 physical assaults and 252 cases where patients lashed out.
Sexual abuse incidents numbered 170, and there were 52 hate-related cases. Patrick Mallon, a solicitor at Legal Expert, expressed deep concern, stating that no one should feel threatened at work, especially those in the NHS.
In the past year alone, there were 163 incidents linked to alcohol, 150 related to mental health, and 73 involving drugs. The AACE reported that most assaults happened at the patient’s home, with the ambulance’s rear being the second most common spot.
In just six months, there were nearly 12,000 reported incidents of violence against ambulance staff in the UK. If this trend continues, we could see over 20,000 incidents this year across all ambulance services.
Anna Parry from AACE pointed out that these figures show the harsh reality ambulance workers face every shift. This constant threat can seriously affect their well-being and even push some to leave the service.
Legal Expert also found that since 2019, there have been 74 legal claims against UK Ambulance Trusts due to staff assaults. Many of these claims involved serious injuries, with settlements totaling nearly £1 million.
Mallon emphasized that while pursuing claims against the NHS can be intimidating, it’s crucial for raising awareness and driving change to protect staff from future abuse.
Legal Expert provides support for those affected by such incidents, offering a 24-hour helpline and live chat on their website.
