Union Calls For More Training As Attacks On Ambulance Staff Rise

A trade union is calling for additional training for paramedics in de-escalation and restraint techniques after hundreds of attacks were reported against ambulance staff across the South East.

Unison says ambulance workers are facing “completely unacceptable” levels of abuse.

The union’s South East regional secretary, Maggi Ferncombe, said more needed to be done to protect frontline crews.

Figures from South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) show staff reported 1,529 incidents of violence and aggression between April 2024 and March 2025.

This is up from 1,490 the previous year and 1,312 in 2022–23.

SECAmb NHS Foundation Trust said it remains committed to working closely with staff to ensure everything possible is being done to protect them.

Paramedic Jenny Young said she has been injured in a physical attack and warned the long-term impact of violence against staff can be severe.

She said just minutes of abuse can lead to years of psychological stress, adding that such behaviour is unacceptable and should never be tolerated.

Another SECAmb paramedic, Declan-Lee O’Leary, said periods such as Christmas can be particularly stressful for the public, especially when ambulance waiting times are longer.

He said frustration is sometimes taken out on call handlers and frontline crews, making an already demanding job even harder.

Unison is also calling for high-quality physical and psychological support for workers who are assaulted. SECAmb said violence and abuse can have a huge impact on staff, often with effects lasting for years, and encouraged all incidents to be reported so they can be fully investigated.