The sexual safety national consensus statement launched yesterday at the Ambulance Leadership Forum by Suzanne Rastrick, Chief Allied Health Professions Officer for England, aims at reducing misogyny and improving sexual safety in the ambulance service.

The National Consensus Statement focuses on reducing harm through a learning approach to change, removing barriers to speaking up, accessing support and embedding a culture of respect, understanding and safety.

The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) and the Office of the Chief Allied Health Professions Officer (CAHPO) have launched two more publications along with the national consensus statement.

“Reducing Misogyny and Improving Sexual Safety in the Ambulance Service: What We Know” publication outlines information gathered during the ‘discovery phase’ of the ‘Reducing Misogyny and Improving Sexual Safety in the Ambulance Service’ workstream.

“Reducing Misogyny and Improving Sexual Safety in the Ambulance Service: Next Steps” publication sets out the recommendations for action and takes forward the commitments made in the consensus statement, which are based on the findings from reviewing the available evidence and engaging with stakeholders.

Professor Suzanne Rastrick said: “Those who work, train, and learn within the ambulance service have the right to be safe at work. Guided by the international evidence, our priority from the outset of this work has been supporting all those within the ambulance service and strengthening the systems that will change individual experience.

“Whilst undertaking our discovery work, we did identify pockets of provider, regional, and national sexual safety work across the sector however, this was not consistent. These co-produced compact addresses this variance by drawing together these strands. Most importantly it clearly sets out ‘next steps’ so we move to action.

“Thank you to those who have worked to realise these documents, most importantly those who have shared their lived experiences.”