Ambulance workers in Wales are facing unprecedented risks at work, with new figures revealing a sharp rise in injuries and abuse. The findings, released by a workplace claim company, highlight the scale of harm suffered by employees of the Welsh Ambulance Service during the course of their duties.
Rising toll on ambulance staff
In 2022/23, a total of 636 Welsh Ambulance Service staff were reported injured at work, marking the highest number in three years. Although the following year saw a fall to 476 cases, the risks remain significant. Manual handling tasks such as lifting and moving patients remain the leading cause of injury, with 573 recorded cases linked to musculoskeletal disorders. Slips, trips, and falls accounted for a further 331 injuries.
The physical impact is only part of the story. Ambulance workers also face substantial psychological risks. Regular exposure to trauma and violence can lead to long-term conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Surge in violence and abuse
Alongside injuries, ambulance staff are increasingly subjected to violence and aggression while on duty. Data from the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) shows that in 2024/25, more than 20,000 incidents of violence, aggression, and abuse were recorded across the UK’s 14 ambulance services. This equates to around 55 ambulance workers being abused or attacked every single day – the highest figure ever documented.
The types of assaults reported range from verbal abuse and harassment to serious physical attacks, creating an unsafe working environment for frontline staff.
National response and safety initiatives
NHS ambulance services have taken steps to counter this trend, including launching the #WorkWithoutFear campaign. The initiative seeks to raise awareness of the abuse faced by ambulance staff, encourage behavioural change among the public, and create safer conditions for those providing vital emergency care. TWU says, “we must protect our ambulance workers”.
Speaking on the issue, Liam Williams, executive director of quality and nursing at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said:
“The nature of ambulance work is challenging and unpredictable, and it means that on occasion, our people do come to harm. We’ve taken significant steps to improve the safety of the working environment for our people and are pleased to see the year-on-year reduction in the number of reported incidents and injuries as a result. Post-pandemic, we expanded our health and safety team, and this expertise has meant we’ve been able to bolster training for colleagues and offer more advice and guidance to teams on manual handling and conflict de-escalation techniques.”
Long-term challenges for UK workers
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has long recognised the widespread impact of workplace injuries. A 2016 report estimated that musculoskeletal disorders alone were responsible for 8.8 million lost working days across the UK, underlining the far-reaching consequences of unsafe working conditions.
The latest figures from Wales reinforce the urgent need for continued investment in staff safety, better training in manual handling, and stronger protections against violence and abuse.
As the demand for emergency care remains high, safeguarding those on the frontline is becoming increasingly vital – both for their wellbeing and for the sustainability of essential public services.
