Anger at 999 staff suffering violence
Almost 30 per cent of ambulance staff in the West Midlands and Shropshire experienced violence at the hands of patients during the last year.
A further 38 per cent were verbally abused by patients over a 12-month period in 2008/09, health chiefs said.
Anthony Marsh, West Midlands Ambulance Service Trust chief executive, said the abuse was "appalling" and the service would do all it could to stop the problem.
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He said: "The figures speak for themselves - 27 per cent of staff said they had experienced violence from patients and 38 per cent said they had suffered verbal harassment from patients.
"These figures are appalling. I find it sickening that staff should have to put up with such abuse."
The figures come as service chairman Sir Graham Meldrum praised staff in the build-up to the annual meeting, which is being held at Shirehall, Shrewsbury, next Wednesday.
Sir Graham said staff had made "superhuman efforts" to ensure patient safety during the year.
He said: "Staff have risen to the challenges and exceeded the results that could have been expected.
"There can be no doubt that the service was severely tested during 2008/9, but it is my pleasure to report to the people of the West Midlands region that their ambulance service performed to the highest of standards."
