A new report from the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) shows that ambulance staff are experiencing “horrific” abuse from the public as attacks on workers increased by 23 per cent in the wake of the pandemic. Assaults against female ambulance staff have risen by 48 per cent in the last five years.
In response to rising attacks, the NHS has launched a #workwithoutfear campaign to prevent abuse of ambulance staff. Last year there were 11,749 attacks against ambulance staff, equating to 32 workers being abused or attacked every day. AACE said incidents included kicking, slapping, headbutting and verbal abuse, and ranged from common assault to serious attacks involving knives and weapons.
The organisation, which represents all ambulance trusts in the UK, said attacks were often related to alcohol, people experiencing a mental health crisis and some were motivated by sexual and racial discrimination.
Full story in The Independent, 28 February 2022