A grandmother who alleges she was sexually assaulted by a private paramedic en route to hospital has revealed she feels utterly failed by the ambulance service — highlighting a disturbing pattern of abuse and discrimination not just locally, but across the country.
Warning: This article contains references to sexual abuse and suicide.
This latest case comes amid mounting evidence of serious cultural failings within ambulance services nationwide. Staff surveys, union investigations and independent reviews are exposing a longstanding crisis: rampant sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying and, in the most shocking cases, extremist sympathies have infected services that exist to save lives.
At the heart of the current storm is the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb), where allegations of misconduct, a “boy’s club” culture, and even neo-Nazi sympathies have come to light.
However, SECAmb is far from alone.
It has been over a year since a major investigation revealed that systemic issues of harassment and abuse have plagued ambulance services across England for decades. Reports have surfaced from services in the East Midlands, the South West, and Yorkshire — suggesting a sector-wide failure to protect both staff and patients.
Now, the GMB union, which represents ambulance workers, is demanding an independent public inquiry, stating that SECAmb has become “the worst ambulance trust in the country” but warning that these patterns are mirrored elsewhere.
‘I Just Lay There, Terrified’
Juliette, 65, was left in agony after being struck by a car whilst cycling through Surrey in 2021. As she lay immobilised on a stretcher, terrified she might be paralysed, two paramedics carried out initial assessments.
However, once alone in the back of the ambulance with a private paramedic contracted by SECAmb, Juliette alleges she was sexually assaulted under the guise of a “hip check” — without consent.
“He opened my shorts with his left hand and put his right hand between my legs,” she recalls, her voice breaking.
Frozen in terror, she was powerless to resist until she managed to move her legs, causing him to withdraw his hand. He then sat in silence for the rest of the journey.
Juliette reported the assault to police the following day, but the case was dropped due to a lack of evidence, particularly the absence of CCTV footage. When she approached SECAmb directly, she says her experience was dismissed and distorted — with the trust ultimately suggesting she had consented.
“It left me feeling insulted, betrayed and humiliated,” she says. “It’s too late for me, but I speak out now so others don’t suffer the same trauma.”
A National Problem: Widespread Abuse and Harassment
Juliette’s ordeal is not isolated. Across Britain, frontline NHS and ambulance staff — particularly women — have reported a culture that enables, protects and conceals abusers.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has repeatedly warned about a toxic “old boys’ network” operating within ambulance services, stifling complaints and punishing whistleblowers.
Key figures include:
- A 2023 report into East of England Ambulance Service exposed decades of sexual harassment, racism and bullying.
- In South Western Ambulance Service, whistleblowers have alleged they were targeted after raising concerns about misconduct.
- Yorkshire Ambulance Service was similarly criticised after staff complained that senior managers ignored harassment allegations.
In some cases, perpetrators remained in post even after credible complaints — and victims, rather than being supported, found themselves ostracised or driven from their careers.
At SECAmb, a recent GMB survey of nearly 900 members found:
- 25.6% had experienced bullying.
- 26% had witnessed inappropriate behaviour.
- 16% had witnessed racism.
- 17.2% had seen sexual harassment.
Alarmingly, 80% of respondents said they would not trust the service to protect them if they reported concerns.
Neo-Nazism in the Ambulance Service
Amelia (not her real name), a SECAmb employee, witnessed one of the most shocking incidents: during a video call about staffing levels, a senior manager appeared on screen with a large swastika flag behind him. A framed photograph of Adolf Hitler and Nazi memorabilia adorned his desk and bookshelves.
Colleagues seemed unbothered. “He’s always been into Nazi stuff,” she was told.
Amelia initially blew the whistle anonymously but was forced to reveal her identity to pursue a formal grievance. As a result, she claims she was frozen out of meetings and socially isolated, culminating in police involvement after she received bags of dog faeces at her doorstep.
Her career was effectively destroyed.
And yet, the manager responsible — despite a formal finding of “inappropriate behaviour” — still works at SECAmb.
This episode is part of a broader concern: how extremist ideologies can infiltrate institutions when a culture of silence and fear exists.
‘They Become the Problem’
Whistleblowers like Amelia often become pariahs, according to Lib Whitfield, senior organiser at the GMB union.
Lib says SECAmb’s culture is the worst she has seen in her eight years dealing with ambulance services and that she now receives “daily” calls from suicidal staff members.
She highlights a key pattern: “Those who speak out are labelled troublemakers and driven out.”
The GMB has written to Health Secretary Wes Streeting demanding:
- A full, independent inquiry into SECAmb’s culture, with binding recommendations.
- The immediate resignation of Chief Executive Simon Weldon.
- An interim chief executive appointed externally, with independent oversight.
SECAmb and Government Response
SECAmb claims the incidents cited predate Simon Weldon’s appointment and expressed concern over the GMB’s survey methods.
A spokesperson said:
“We continue to work hard to make SECAmb a safe organisation for all of our people and are committed to driving real change.
The historic cases were thoroughly investigated, including via independent reviews, and we firmly believe they do not reflect the majority of experiences today.”
Stephen Kinnock, Minister of State for Care, described the revelations as “deeply disturbing” and promised that the government would leave “no stone unturned” in rooting out such behaviours.
On the Nazi flag incident, he said:
“It’s horrific. We all know what that flag represents. It is utterly incompatible with the values of the NHS.”
The Department of Health and Social Care issued a statement:
“This is an extremely concerning report and we are examining it closely. Sexual harassment or abuse within the NHS is completely unacceptable and must be dealt with appropriately.”
If you are feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal, support is available. Call Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK.
