Prince of Wales NHS staff ambulance staff – Steve Reigate-WPA Pool/Getty Images
The Prince of Wales has condemned the “unacceptable” violence and private abuse confronted by NHS frontline staff.
The Prince requested to talk to some of the paramedics and ambulance crew on the receiving finish of the assaults throughout a go to to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London.
“To me it’s unreal, unacceptable,” he stated. “Why attack the people who are trying to look after you?”
NHS England knowledge reveals that 3,569 ambulance staff reported being assaulted in 2020/21 – a 32 per cent rise from 5 years beforehand.
Antony Tiernan, of the London Ambulance Service, stated there had been 529 violent incidents involving staff and volunteers between April 2020 and January this 12 months.
“Those attacks include kicking, punching, head-butting, biting and spitting and there have also been 31 assaults with weapons,” he stated.
“In addition, there have been 834 incidents of verbal abuse and threats.”
Prince’s disbelief at rising violence
The Prince expressed shock after chatting with the NHS staff, saying: “You can’t believe it, can you?
“When I think of what it has been like for so long, and how many people have been lucky enough to have wonderful paramedics and ambulance staff coming to their rescue.
“But now you find the situation rising – violence, attacks, verbal attacks, racial abuse and everything else.”
Matt Hancock Prince of Wales NHS staff – Steve Reigate-WPA Pool/Getty Images
The inheritor to the throne was joined by Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, on the hospital, the place he thanked staff for his or her service through the Covid-19 disaster and learnt how his Prince’s Trust had helped younger folks discover employment throughout the NHS.
He personally requested to talk to 6 paramedics and ambulance crew after studying in regards to the statistics on abuse.
A Clarence House spokesperson stated: “The Prince of Wales was shocked to hear that those who have done so much for all of us in this pandemic are the victims of abuse and violence from a small minority. NHS frontline staff and volunteers deserve our support, thanks and respect for the important work that they do.”
Earlier this month, it was introduced that paramedics in England had been to be fitted with body cameras in a bid to forestall hundreds of assaults annually. As NHS staff risked their lives to assist the nation through the coronavirus pandemic, they were being attacked when attending emergency name-outs.