NHS Providers and NHS Confederation statement on Hatzola ambulance attacks

Matthew Taylor, interim chief executive of the NHS Confederation and NHS Providers (which from April will become The NHS Alliance), said: 

“This appalling attack on Jewish charity ambulances in Golders Green is profoundly disturbing and will no doubt cause enormous distress to Jewish NHS staff and patients.

“This incident comes at a time when the NHS workforce is already facing an unacceptable rise in violence, aggression and abuse. While the motives behind these will be varied, the latest NHS Staff Survey reveals that almost one in seven NHS staff experienced physical attacks from patients or the public last year, the highest rate in three years. These findings paint a stark and troubling picture of the pressures and dangers staff encounter while simply trying to care for the public.

“No member of staff should fear for their safety at work, and no community should be subjected to what appears to be hate‑motivated attacks on their essential services.

“NHS leaders recognise that they are not passive observers of the social environment: hate experienced in communities enters NHS spaces, and leaders have a responsibility to challenge it within their organisations. Without this, the NHS risks normalising discrimination, undermining trust and compromising the quality of care for Jewish patients and the wellbeing of Jewish staff.

“As The NHS Alliance, we will be committed to tackling discrimination and inequality in healthcare services. Already we are supporting our members to improve understanding of antisemitism, how it is currently manifesting in our communities and what must be done to guard against its impact on the NHS.”