#WorkWithoutFear campaign launches to target ambulance staff abuse
11,749 ambulance staff were abused in England last year
NHS ambulance staff who have been attacked while on duty are leading a new national campaign to promote respect across the country.
The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) has launched the national #WorkWithoutFear campaign – supported by NHS England – to highlight the impact of this abuse on the everyday lives of ambulance staff.
Every day last year, 32 ambulance staff were abused or attacked nationally, according to the AACE. The number amounts to more than one incident during every hour of every day throughout the whole year.
Over 11,500 ambulance staff were abused either physically or verbally in England last year, an increase of 4,060 incidents compared to 2016.
Chair of the AACE Daren Mochrie said: "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.
Mr Mochrie also called for the consistent use of the Assaults on Emergency Workers Offences Act 2018 legislation to issue the most appropriate sentences to those found guilty of abuse.
Assaults jumped by 23% during pandemic
The campaign is set to feature ambulance staff from all across the country who have been the victims of assaults. They will share their experience of the racial verbal abuse and threatening comments they’ve endured whilst trying to help others.
NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: "The vast majority of patients and the public show nothing but respect and thanks for the skilled care they receive, but the unacceptable actions of a small minority have a massive impact on the professional and personal lives of our ambulance colleagues."
The most significant rise covered the initial period of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 when assaults jumped up by 23% compared with the year before.
They included kicking, slapping, head-butting and verbal abuse, and ranged from common assault to serious attacks involving knives and weapons.
Alcohol is the most prominent factor in assaults against ambulance staff, followed by drugs and people in a mental health crisis. Attacks based around race and sexuality have also increased as exacerbating factors in these assaults.
Mr Mochrie added: "Assaults against female staff have seen a 48% increase in the number of attacks over the last five years, while younger ambulance staff (aged 21-34 years old) have seen the largest increase in assaults compared to other age groups.
"Two-thirds of offenders who assault ambulance staff are male and one third is female."
"NHS staff deserve the right to work without fear of abuse or violence"
Health Secretary Sajid Javid also said he's "incredibly grateful" for the tireless efforts of ambulance staff and that he recognises the pressure this pandemic has put on them.
He added: "NHS staff deserve the right to work without fear of abuse or violence – the sickening actions of a few perpetrators absolutely will not be tolerated.
"I'm very proud to support this new campaign, and we're taking action to protect all staff through the NHS Violence Reduction Programme, as well as backing the NHS, police and the Crown Prosecution Service to bring abhorrent offenders to justice."