East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) has reported a 36 per cent rise in sexual assaults of on-duty staff members since 2020 according to figures, obtained by Sexual Abuse Compensation Advice.
The majority of these assaults were committed by patients or members of the public on paramedics or EMAS staff.
National officer for GMB, the union for NHS Works, Rachel Harrison told Sexual Abuse Compensation Advice (SACA): “It’s an utter disgrace our ambulance workers suffer these attacks as they try to save lives.
“This is a national problem and it is getting worse.”
EMAS split the data into three categories when asked to define the assault type – Abuse, patient on staff, Abuse – staff on staff, and Disruptive behaviour.
When asked for clarification on these categories, they were unable to supply CBJ Star with further information regarding what disruptive behaviour meant.
Across the five-year span:
- 2020 saw 115 assaults by patients and fewer than 5 by staff members.
- 2021 recorded 132 assaults by patients, again with fewer than 5 by staff.
- 2022 had 105 assaults by patients and no reported assaults by staff.
- 2023 figures rose to 130 patient assaults and 5 staff-on-staff assaults.
- 2024 saw the highest numbers, with 144 assaults by patients and 12 by colleagues.
This rise is the third highest outside of London, behind only Yorkshire Ambulance Service and West Midlands Ambulance Service otherwise.
EMAS highlighted that incidents that were low in number were documented as fewer than five to prevent identification of individuals.
They also noted that changes to their HR reporting system may have influenced the way some incidents were captured.
But they stressed that all reports are recorded according to Care Quality Commission definitions and are taken seriously.
Keeley Sheldon, director of quality at East Midlands Ambulance Service said: “Our colleagues help people every day in the East Midlands and it’s not okay that they face more violence and aggression while doing their jobs.
“At EMAS, we do not tolerate any abuse, whether it’s sexual, physical or verbal. We will do all we can to make sure our staff feel safe and supported at work.
“We ask our staff to report any abuse so we can understand the problem better and find more ways to stop the abuse. Every report helps us give the right support and find new ways to reduce assaults.
“We will keep working with the police and Crown Prosecution Service to make sure that those who hurt or abuse our staff are held to account.”
The figures come off the back of growing national concerns about abuse and violence against healthcare workers.
More than 65,000 NHS staff reported sexual assaults and harassment from patients, their relatives and other members of the public in 2024 in the health service’s annual survey.
For the second year running, the NHS staff survey for England asked workers if they had been the target of unwanted sexual behaviour, which includes inappropriate or offensive sexualised comments, touching and assault.
Of the 743,397 NHS staff who responded, 8.8 per cent reported sexual assaults and harassment by the public and other staff last year.
Union officer, Ms Harrison added: “GMB members were instrumental in changing the law, to make attacks on ambulance workers an aggravating factor when it comes to sentencing.
“But it’s not enough – we need a zero tolerance approach from the police, Trusts, ministers and the public.”
