At least 55 ambulance staff every day are abused or attacked, according to the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), with incidents also including kicking, verbal abuse and serious attacks involving weapons
Headbutting, spitting, biting and sexual assault are just some of the increasing number of “appalling” attacks against NHS ambulance workers.
At least 55 ambulance staff every day are abused or attacked, according to the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), with incidents also including kicking, verbal abuse and serious attacks involving weapons. Data from the organisation shows there were 11,817 reported incidents of violence, aggression and abuse against ambulance staff in the six months to September 2024. This accounts for 61% of the 19,633 reported for 2023/24 overall and at the current rate the AACE expects incidents to top 20,000 for the first time ever this year.
Rachel Harrison, of the GMB union, which represents paramedics and other ambulance staff, said: “Ambulance workers do their jobs to save lives but thousands of them are bitten, attacked, spat at, and even sexually assaulted. No one should have to put up with that, least of all those who are there to help us.”
The AACE said alcohol plays a major part in assaults as well as drug use and people in mental health crises. It estimates more than 5,000 incidents will be reported across the 14 UK ambulance services over the winter months of December, January and February.
Alan Lofthouse, deputy head of health at Unison, said: “Nobody should endure violence or abuse just for doing their job. It’s appalling that paramedics and ambulance workers, who deliver life-saving care, are targeted with punches, kicks, death threats and other disgraceful tirades. This shocking report shows an alarming rise in incidents that has to be addressed. Tougher consequences and better protection for staff are needed urgently.”
Ambulance services have put a number of measures in place to try and deter abusive or violent behaviour, including body cameras for staff being piloted.
Anna Parry, managing director of AACE, said: “These new figures highlight the upsetting fact that ambulance employees face the very real possibility of being subject to violence or abuse each time they start a shift. This can have a significant and lasting impact on wellbeing and sometimes even lead to people leaving the ambulance service.”
The Protect the Protectors law was passed in 2018 to protect emergency service workers from attacks but unions insist it needs to be better enforced. The Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act increased the maximum sentence for assaulting an emergency service worker from six to 12 months. It also made assaults on emergency service workers an aggravating factor for sentencing.
The law applies to a range of emergency services, including paramedics, police, fire fighters, prison officers, custody officers and search and rescue services.
Rachel Harrison added: “GMB members helped change the law, bringing in the Protect the Protectors legislation, but more needs to be done. We need full enforcement of the Protect the Protectors legislation, investment in better systems to flag offenders, more focus on prevention and much better support for the victims of violence.”
