Assaults on North West Ambulance staff reach a five-year-high as legal expert says “something must be done to tackle abuse”

Staff have been threatened with firearms, knives, clubs and subjected to physical, racial, sexual and homophobic abuse

More than 5,800 North West Ambulance staff have been physically and verbally assaulted while on duty in the last five years, a new investigation has revealed. 

It comes as the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) warns that UK ambulance services are on course to report the “highest-ever rate of violent, aggressive and abusive incidents against staff.”

New data obtained by Legal Expert has revealed that between 2019 and 2024, a total of 5,883 North West Ambulance staff and paramedics suffered physical and verbal abuse, with the figure now the highest it has been in five years. 

Incidents include; acts of aggressions, homophobic remarks, racial, religious and sexual abuse and serious attacks involving weapons such as knives, clubs and firearms. 

"These figures are extremely concerning. Nobody should have to feel threatened at work - especially hard-working, vital NHS staff. 

“Something must be done to tackle abuse towards NHS staff who, for the majority, are just trying to do their jobs,” says Legal Expert solicitor, Patrick Mallon.

In 2020, the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) recorded 927 incidents of physical and verbal abuse from patients towards ambulance staff, increasing to 1,228 incidents in 2024.

In the last year alone, there have been 782 incidents of verbal abuse towards NW ambulance staff including swearing, racial, religious, gender, disability and sexual content. 

A further 413 physical assaults on staff were logged as well as 33 involving weapons.

The service also confirmed that in the last 12 months, there have been multiple incidents of sexual abuse towards ambulance staff while on duty including indecent exposure as well as many instances of threatening and anti-social behaviour.

The AACE confirmed there were 11,817 reported incidents of violence, aggression and abuse against UK ambulance staff in the six months to September 2024.

The figure accounts for 61 per cent of the 19,633 reported for 2023/24 overall. 

The organisation said at the current rate it expects incidents to top 20,000 for the first time across the 14 ambulance services. 

Anna Parry, managing director of AACE, said: “These new figures highlight the upsetting fact that ambulance employees face the very real possibility of being subject to violence or abuse each time they start a shift.

“This can have a significant and lasting impact on wellbeing and sometimes even lead to people leaving the ambulance service.”

Legal Expert also obtained the latest data from NHS Resolution, the legal arm of the NHS, regarding the number of legal claims that have been lodged against UK Ambulance Trusts as a result of assaults on staff. 

Since 2019, there have been 74 legal claims and incidents of ambulance staff assaults reported to the NHS legal body. Of those, 36 related to orthopaedic injuries, 13 pertained to facial injuries and 9 were for head injuries. 

A further 8 claims and incidents were logged relating to psychiatric damage and eight more for injuries to internal organs.

In the last five years, UK Ambulance Trusts have settled 15 such claims with compensation payouts amounting to £589,533. 

A further £100,498 was paid for NHS legal costs as well as £267,518 for the claimant’s legal costs - giving a grand total of £957,549.

Solicitor, Mr Mallon added: “Whilst claiming against medical bodies like the NHS can seem daunting, such claims help highlight the issues and hopefully start the conversation that leads to change to ensure no staff members ever fall victim to either physical or verbal abuse in the future."

Legal Expert offers a specialist service for anyone looking for support and advice after being affected by physical or verbal assault.

They operate a 24-hour helpline and live chat service which you can access on their website.