NHS leaders have called for change after new figures reveal that at least two ambulance medics a day are a victim of physical violence in London.
Data from the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust indicates that instances of abuse have increased by 39% in 2023, up from 523 cases in 2022 to 728.
These figures include staff being subjected to kicking, punching, spitting and being attacked with a weapon.
“These shocking figures reveal a very, very sad state of affairs,” said the London Ambulance Service’s chief paramedic, Pauline Cranmer.
“Our ambulance crews and call handlers work tirelessly day in and day out to care for Londoners and treat each patient with respect. Abuse of any form can have a profound impact on our staff and won’t be tolerated.”
Last November saw the London Ambulance Service call for violence against its staff to end after the release of a video showing a paramedic being pushed out of the back of an ambulance by a patient.
The patient was arrested and eventually convicted, with an order to pay the paramedic compensation.
Since April 2023, the London Ambulance Service says there have been 38 successful prosecutions despite some offenders not being able to go to court on medical grounds.
Dedicated violence reduction officers help give staff the confidence to report any incidents of abuse, while also supporting them through the judicial process.
More than 70% of staff who experience violence on the job report it, according to the London Ambulance Service.
A £3m investment into safety measures has seen the installation of panic buttons which are linked to a recording device.
Ambulances in the capital have also been upgraded with monitors that help staff see outside the vehicle as well as an electronic tracker to help police respond faster to incidents.
Pauline Cranmer added: “On the whole, abusive patients are just a small number of the people our medics see every day, and sometimes violent behaviour arises as a consequence of a medical condition.
“However, I want to urge the public to treat our staff with kindness and respect while they go about their very busy shifts.”
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