Ambulance Staff Safety at Risk: Firsthand Accounts of Violence and Urgent Calls for Change

Recent violent incidents involving ambulance personnel in Sweden have raised alarming safety concerns, prompting urgent calls for improved protective measures. Sabina Teserius, an ambulance nurse, shared her traumatic experience of being threatened at gunpoint while on duty in Södertälje back in October 2022. "I was completely sure I was going to die," she recounted, emphasizing the severe risks faced by healthcare workers in emergency situations. Despite reporting the incident that led to the assailant's arrest, she highlighted a critical issue: ambulance staff lack access to any warning system that could alert them to dangerous individuals or previous threats related to specific addresses.

The recent fatal attack on a female healthcare worker has intensified discussions around the pressing need for better safety protocols for ambulance crews. Following this incident, which involved a patient convicted of threatening staff, the Ambulansförbundet has reiterated its demands for access to police records regarding threats that could endanger responders. The organization stresses that without this vital information, staff remain vulnerable when responding to emergency calls.

While the frequency of violence against ambulance personnel has increased, Teserius expressed skepticism about political will to enact meaningful changes, noting that previous incidents have not led to significant improvements in safety measures. "It's frustrating to see that despite the alarming frequency of these events, nothing seems to change," she said. The recent threats have prompted Teserius to reconsider her future in the profession, as she continues to grapple with the balance between her dedication to emergency care and the safety risks intrinsic to her job. Overall, the ongoing violence against ambulance staff in Sweden highlights an urgent need for systemic changes to prioritize and protect those providing essential healthcare services.