Chief Executive & Registrar Bernie O’Reilly: Allegations of harassment and sexual assault within the paramedic profession are truly disturbing and reprehensible

Chief Executive & Registrar Bernie O’Reilly responds to the allegations of harassment and sexual assault within the paramedic profession:

We are deeply concerned by today's reports of truly disturbing and reprehensible behaviour within the paramedic profession. These are not the first allegations of this type within ambulance services.

Sexual misconduct is an extremely serious matter which has devastating consequences for victims and their families. All employers and professional bodies have a responsibility to prevent this type of behaviour from happening, and action urgently needs to be taken to end any normalisation of this toxic culture. Harassment and sexual assault are crimes and employers must report this to the police and to us if the harassment and sexual assault is committed by an HCPC registrant.

We commend the brave victims who have taken the decision to speak out about their experiences, but it should not have happened in the first place. Our standards are crystal clear; there is no room for this behaviour as a registered professional and anyone can raise a concern with us if a professional has behaved in this way. We have been working with professional bodies and employers to help them address the issues highlighted in recent reports.

There is clearly a cultural issue within ambulance services that needs addressing. We must all work together to ensure that patients and service users are safe when they use health and care services, and that staff can go to work in an environment free from abuse.