Yorkshire Ambulance workers prepare for one of the busiest nights of the year
It's as we can exclusively reveal the numbers being assaulted while on duty
Last updated 20th Dec 2024
As Yorkshire ambulance service get ready for one of the busiest nights of the year - we can exclusively reveal the number of staff being physically assaulted while on duty.
Almost 300 workers have reported being attacked while trying to help others in 2024.
"We don't want to have to call the police"
Claire Lindsay is head of the emergency operations centre and says any form of aggression is unacceptable:
"We do see kind of violence and aggression towards ambulance staff, which is quite surprising. It can range from acts of racism, harassment, discrimination, but also kind of physical assault, which is completely obviously unacceptable.
"You know, ambulance staff are here to help patients and they should not feel frightened or scared. What we would say is be respectful, allow them to work without fear this Christmas and throughout 2025.
"Our staff are there to support people in their hour of need. Physical and verbal abuse against any member of NHS staff is completely unacceptable, and that includes call centre staff as well. In the 999 call centre here, within our integrated urgent care, the 111 service, you know we would ask that people are respectful and we won't accept any kind of abuse to our staff.
"We try to calm the situation down, you know, staff do deal with these kind of situations regularly. So trying to be able to defuse these situations can often be enough. We can get their friends and things involved who who are often able to quell a situation.
"We don't want to have to call the police, that would be a last resort. We do need to make sure that our staff stay well. If it comes to it, they will leave a scene, they will issue warnings, but ultimately they have to look after their own health and safety as well."