A WARRINGTON MP has called for steps to be taken to tackle the sexual abuse of female paramedics.

Charlotte Nichols, Labour MP for Warrington North, made the call in a written question submitted to the Department of Health and Social Care.

Her question to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care was: “What steps are you taking to tackle sexual abuse of female paramedics?”

This was answered by Conservative MP Andrew Stephenson, who is Minister of State for Health and Secondary Care.

He said: “NHS England commissioned a review into the ambulance sector culture and has welcomed the recommendations of the recent independent review.

“This highlights the need to target bullying and harassment, including sexual harassment, and enable the freedom to speak up.

“NHS England is setting up a delivery board alongside an implementation plan to deliver the recommendations from the ambulance sector culture report.

“This will include actions related to stopping misogyny and improving sexual safety in the ambulance service, by the Office of the Chief Allied Health Professions at NHS England and the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives.

“Last year, NHS England launched the first-ever sexual safety charter, in collaboration with healthcare systems, to provide staff with clear reporting mechanisms, training and support, ensuring that a zero-tolerance approach to tackle sexual misconduct is taken.

“The 2023 NHS Staff Survey included a new question specifically around unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature to enable National Health Service organisations to understand the prevalence of misconduct in their workplace.

“This will inform further action to protect and support staff across the NHS.”