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New figures from London Ambulance Service reveal paramedics and call handlers in the capital experienced violence or abuse a staggering 2,159 times last year (in the year to April 2024).
During 2022-23 there were 1,525 reported incidents which reflects an improvement in reporting levels for the service. Incidents including attacks with weapons, kicking, punching, head-butting, spitting, sexual assault and verbal abuse. Figures from April to September this year (2024) show that there is an average of just over 200 reported incidents of violence and aggression each month on frontline staff.
These figures come as the new series of ‘Ambulance’, which started on BBC One this week, shines a spotlight on the impact of assaults towards paramedics and call handlers while they care for the people of London.
In a harrowing scene from the first episode, viewers see ambulance crews react in shock when a panic alarm blares out on the open radio channel of ambulances out around the capital and they hear the screams of colleagues being attacked by a patient.
“It was pretty shocking to hear the altercation over the radio and hearing the crews trying to get away from the patient. There was a really worrying period of silence as the teams in the control room tried to reach them on the open channel.
“The crew sounded terrified and we were really scared for them. It was a stark reminder that it could happen to any one of us. It was a horrific start to the day.”
David, Emergency Medical Technician at Homerton Ambulance Station.
The episode shows that some of the crews who heard the assault are reduced to tears but have to remain focused and continue to head on to their next patients. Colleagues later go to visit the crew who were assaulted to offer support as they recount the experience.
Assaults against ambulance staff have remained persistently high in recent years. London Ambulance Service was the first ambulance trust to introduce a dedicated Violence Reduction Unit to support colleagues to report crimes and work closely with police to ensure abusers are prosecuted where appropriate.
“Our clinicians and our call handlers come to work day and night to care for others. It is disgraceful that they should face aggression and the shocking scenes in the Ambulance documentary show the profound impact this abuse can have.
“Our people must be safe to do their jobs without fear. I would also like to thank our Violence Reduction Unit as the team work incredibly hard keep our staff safe.”
Daniel Elkeles, Chief Executive of London Ambulance Service.
All LAS ambulances have been fitted with CCTV, audio recording, panic buttons and new monitors, as well as electronic tracking to help police arrive as quickly as possible. As well as this £3m investment in the ambulance crew safety system, all ambulance stations have body-worn cameras for staff to use while on duty.
This is why the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) – with support from NHS England (NHSE) – has launched the second phase of its national #WorkWithoutFear campaign to highlight the profound impact of this abuse.
You can learn more about the Working Without Fear campaign in our recent article here, where Editor Catherine Levin interviews Adam Hopper from the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE). During their conversation at The Emergency Services Show, Adam reveals a more complex data picture and explains why this campaign is crucial for the industry.