Eleven per cent rise in attacks on ambulance staff

by Louise Doyle

THE safety of employees is a ‘priority concern’ for the HSE National Ambulance Service the organisation has insisted, as figures show an 11 per cent rise in attacks against staff.

Information released to the Donegal News through a request under the Freedom of Information Act shows there have been 40 reports of violence, harassment and aggression against HSE ambulance staff in Area West, which includes Donegal, this year to date.

This figure is an 11 per cent jump in the in number of overall reported incidents in 2023 (36).

The highest number of attacks on ambulance staff this year to date was in the category of non-compliant/obstructive/rude saw the (nine) – a rise of six for the whole of 2023.

There have been seven direct physical assaults on ambulance staff in 2024 so far. This compares with five incidents last year.

Eight incidents of intimidation/threat have been reported by HSE National Ambulance staff this year to date, one less than in 2023.

There have been three incidents of unintentional aggressive behaviour so far this year, compared with one last year.

Ten incidents of verbal assault have been reported this year so far. This compares to one less for 2023.

There were four reports of verbal harassment last year. This figure has halved to two this year to date, according to the FOI findings.

Commenting on the figures, a HSE spokesperson said: “Ensuring the safety of our employees and service users is a priority concern for the HSE National Ambulance Service.

There is an emphasis on training and equipping our workforce effectively with skills on risk identification and the management of violence and aggression.

Area West covers counties Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo and Leitrim.

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