Latest news with #JasonKillens
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Thousands of attacks recorded on paramedics in 12 months as public told 'show respect to our staff'
West Midlands Ambulance Service workers were attacked a shocking 3370 times in the last 12 months. WMAS staff are subjected to incidents of physical, verbal abuse or aggression whilst doing their job every day. Nationally, there was a 15 per cent jump with a record 22,536 cases recorded nationally across 14 ambulance services. READ MORE: Gym-goers queuing at 'only working machine' slapped with parking warnings at Solihull leisure centre READ MORE: Common drug taken by millions increases dementia risk 33 per cent, warns neurologist Read More: Robber's 'three weeks of hell' in prison led to Birmingham rampage upon release The statistic were released as WMAS launched a social media campaign - 'How We Treat Each Other Matters'- to encourage members of the public to be respectful to ambulance staff. The Trust keen to reiterate it does not and will not tolerate abuse and violence directed towards our workforce, with legal action always being pursued. Following the release of the worrying figures, Chair of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), Jason Killens, has written to ministers responsible for ambulance services in the UK to explore what can be done to combat the growing number of violent assaults. Get the latest BirminghamLive news direct to your inbox He said: 'These figures are truly shocking and reflect a pattern of increased violence, aggression and abuse directed at hard-working ambulance people who are there to help people in their times of greatest need. "Frontline staff as well as call handlers are affected by this horrendous abuse and this unacceptable behaviour has a major long-term impact on the health and wellbeing of ambulance people who are simply trying to do their jobs and help save lives. "This situation is now so serious that we are seeking to engage with UK health ministers at the highest level to explore new interventions that could help deter potential perpetrators of these attacks. "We would also underline again that it is vital that the judiciary uses all available legislation to ensure appropriate sentences are handed out consistently to those found guilty of committing these horrific crimes against our workforce." Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Marsh, said: 'For many staff, this sort of abuse can have a profound impact on their lives with some staff never recovering and actually leaving the service altogether. "While it is a minority of people who commit these offences, we need the public to support us to make such abuse something that is unacceptable.' WMAS Head of Security and Safety, Dan Knight, said: 'Everyone deserves to come to work without fear of abuse, aggression or violence from the public. Whether that be our staff on the frontline, Patient Transport Services staff or those who work in our control rooms. 'The message is simple, abuse will not be tolerated and appropriate actions will be taken when these incidents occur. 3370 incidents of abuse and violence is 3370 too many. "We hope with the launch of this campaign, it will be an important reminder to the public that showing respect to our staff, who are ultimately only trying to help people, should be a given."
The Guardian
24-04-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Violence and abuse against UK ambulance staff at highest level ever recorded
The number of violent assaults, acts of aggression and incidents of abuse against ambulance staff in the UK has risen to the highest level ever recorded, according to data health leaders described as 'horrendous' and 'truly shocking'. There were 22,536 incidents of violence, aggression and abuse directed at paramedics and other ambulance workers in 2024-25, up 15% on 19,633 in 2023-24, figures from the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) showed. It means that on average, those responding to 999 calls are the victims of 433 attacks – include kicking, punching, slapping, head-butting, spitting, sexual assault and verbal abuse – every week. Senior ambulance officials said they believed the true toll was even higher, with many incidents not reported or recorded. Female paramedics and ambulance workers are the most likely to be targeted by the public. Jason Killens, the AACE chair, said: 'These figures are truly shocking and reflect a pattern of increased violence, aggression and abuse directed at hard-working ambulance people who are there to help people in their times of greatest need. 'Frontline staff as well as call handlers are affected by this horrendous abuse, and this unacceptable behaviour has a major long-term impact on the health and wellbeing of ambulance people who are simply trying to do their jobs and help save lives.' Killens, who is also chief executive of the Welsh ambulance services university NHS trust, said the AACE was asking health ministers in all four nations to explore whether new interventions could help deter potential perpetrators of violence. He said: 'We would also underline again that it is vital that the judiciary uses all available legislation to ensure appropriate sentences are handed out consistently to those found guilty of committing these horrific crimes against our workforce.' Sharan Bandesha, national ambulance officer at Unison, said no one should be attacked for doing their job. She said: 'Ambulance workers who respond to emergencies, from heart attacks to car crashes, are trying to save lives.' Bandesha said rising pressure on the NHS – with soaring numbers of 999 calls, record demand for urgent care and an increasingly sicker and ageing population – had created a 'toxic environment' in which assaults and abuse against staff had become 'far too common'. The figures come after a Guardian investigation in January revealed how more than 1,000 patients a day in England were suffering 'potential harm' because of ambulance handover delays. Rory Deighton of the NHS Confederation, which represents the healthcare system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, said the figures were 'deeply concerning'. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion He said: 'The safety of all NHS staff is non-negotiable. Everyone should be able to go to work without the fear that they might be attacked or assaulted while doing their job.' The UK government said violence of any kind was 'unacceptable' and those who assault emergency workers faced up to two years' imprisonment. The Welsh government said ambulance workers deserved to be treated with respect, and any form of attack on them was 'completely unacceptable'. The Scottish government said no NHS staff should be the victim of violence while at work, and Scottish courts had 'extensive powers' to deal robustly with assaults. The Department of Health in Northern Ireland said violence against staff who dedicated their lives to patients was making their work 'much more difficult'.
