PARAMEDICS and other staff within West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) have had their say about the way the service is run.

The results of a 2007 staff survey show the service has made significant improvements but that there is no room for complacency.

Among other things, employees said communications between management and staff had improved, that they felt encouraged to contribute to the development of the service and fewer said they were looking at changing jobs.

However, they also reported an increase in violence towards them and want more development opportunities.

Chief executive Anthony Marsh said: "The figures show that there has been a rise in the number of cases of physical violence. Equally the number of times staff are harassed by a patient, their relative or other people at the scene of an incident is rising. I consider this to be extremely worrying and completely unacceptable.

"We are working hard to ensure that every time a member of staff is attacked, the trust provides support for that individual and works with the police, Crown Prosecution Service and NHS security management service to bring the full weight of the law down on the perpetrators.

"What is pleasing to see is that the results show that the staff have recognised that and feel easier about coming forward. I have already written to the chairmen of the magistrates courts benches and the region's chief constables to ask for their continued support in tackling this unacceptable face of society."

Kim Nurse, director of human resources and organisational development, said: "We will be studying these results over the coming weeks and working in partnership with the staff to create an action plan on what we will do to make further improvements. This will be made available to all staff and we will provide regular updates through the rest of the year."

About 59 per cent of staff took part - the second highest return rate for ambulance services in the country.