After more than 700 call outs, the Hackney Nights Medics programme has helped hundreds of Londoners who are on a night out to get home safely. The medics also help to safeguard people and have reduced the need for ambulance and police service responses.
The programme was introduced by Hackney Council in April 2022 and the London Assembly is today calling on the Mayor to learn from the scheme and promote the approach across all London boroughs.
Zoë Garbett AM, who proposed the motion, said:
“If we are serious about a public health, people-first, and harm reduction approach to policing, the police cannot remain the default first responder to health calls late at night.
“The night medics programme in Hackney has proved tremendously successful, and I am encouraged to see my Assembly colleagues recognise the need to change how we respond to incidents in the night time economy. It is my sincere hope that with programs like this, Londoners can enjoy even more of what our city has to offer.”
Andrew Boff AM, who seconded the motion said:
"I want to recognise the success of the Hackney Nights Medics programme, which has proven to be a great addition to the borough’s night-time economy, offering immediate care and support to those in need while reducing the burden on our emergency services.
“I urge the Mayor to ask his officers to engage with Hackney Borough Council to see what can be learned from this scheme, with a view to helping Londoners feel confident to go out and enjoy themselves at night time.”
The full text of the motion is:
This Assembly recognises the success of the Hackney Nights Medics programme, introduced by Hackney Council in April 2022, where two paramedics patrol and respond to incidents in the night time economy.
A report from Hackney Council noted ‘the partnership between the police, venues and medics was felt to be particularly strong and effective’ and that ‘it was felt that the investment in preventative programmes and schemes had paid off’.
This Assembly notes the positive outcomes enabled by the Night Medics who have so far responded to more than 700 call outs, helping hundreds of Londoners who are on a night out to get home safely. The medics also help to safeguard people and have reduced the need for ambulance and police service responses.
In acknowledgement of the effectiveness of this programme this Assembly calls on the Mayor of London to instruct his officers to engage with Hackney Council to learn from their successful scheme.
We also call on the Mayor to promote this approach across all boroughs in London as part of his 24-Hour London vision to support the night time economy, by encouraging councils to explore launching similar night medic programmes in their own boroughs.
The meeting can also be viewed via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- The motion was agreed by 13 votes for and 0 votes against
- Zoë Garbett AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interviews.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor
For more details, please contact Alison Bell in the Assembly Media Office on 07887 832 918. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.