East of England Ambulance Service Faces Growing Mental Health Crisis Among Staff
A significant rise in mental health-related absences among staff at the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) is raising concerns about employee wellbeing and potential impacts on patient care.
New figures reveal an average of 132 employees are now taking mental health leave each month, a dramatic increase from the 37 recorded in 2015. Data obtained through a freedom of information request shows the trend continued to worsen, with 137 staff members off for mental health reasons in the first five months of 2025. While the trust’s overall headcount has grown by approximately 1,000 since 2015, the rate of mental health absences has risen from 0.9% to 2.64% of the workforce.
Alongside the increase in mental health concerns, reports of physical assaults on paramedics have more than doubled in the same period, jumping from 191 incidents in 2015 to 412 in 2024. Staff resignations have also increased, with the average length of service dropping from 10.7 years to 8.6. “Ambulance staff face huge personal challenges every day at work,” said Caroline Hennessy, UNISON Eastern head of health. “Too often staff are expected to simply absorb whatever’s thrown at them, but without proper support from managers, workers just can’t carry on.” Mental health support is crucial for frontline workers who regularly encounter traumatic situations.
EEAST officials state they are investing “significantly” in wellbeing services, including a dedicated support hub, 24-hour crisis line, trauma therapists, and a new support app. A trust spokesperson said, “We take staff wellbeing very seriously and offer a wide range of support… As awareness of mental health has increased, we’ve worked hard to remove stigma and encourage staff to seek help.” The trust, recently ranked the worst performing in an NHS league table, says it will continue to monitor the situation and implement further support measures.
