Man, 26, allegedly punches female paramedic at south west Sydney hospital

Bankstown Police have charged a man for allegedly punching a female paramedic on her face and injuring her eye.

Bankstown Police have charged a man with obstructing or hindering ambulance officer by act of violence.

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A man, who was being assessed at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital, has allegedly punched a female paramedic in the face, causing damage to her eye.

Bankstown Police have charged the man, 26, of Picnic Point, with obstructing or hindering ambulance officer by act of violence and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

About 9.45pm on Wednesday, 12 June, Bankstown police officers attended a home on Carinya Rd, Picnic Point, following reports of a concern for his welfare.

Police have charged a man for allegedly punching a female paramedic.

Australian Paramedics Association (NSW) told the Express they “are not punching bags” and said paramedics face the risk of violence every shift.

“Fifty per cent of assaults of paramedics take place at the scene, 19 per cent in the ambulance vehicle and 31 per cent in the hospital emergency department as appears to have occurred in this latest case, 72 per cent of assaults on paramedics are of a physical nature,” said Liu Bianchi, executive of the Australian Paramedics Association (NSW).

Police officers said they spoke with the 26-year-old man at the house and took him to Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital for an assessment.

“While waiting at the hospital the man allegedly punched a female paramedic in the face,” a police spokesman said.

“The woman suffered bruising to her eye and was treated.

“The man was assessed at hospital and then released into the custody of police.”

Ambulance NSW said they would not comment on the incident, saying it is before the courts.

He was refused bail and will re-appear in Bankstown Local Court on Monday, June 17.

Liu Bianchi, of the Australian Paramedics Association (NSW), said they are “extremely concerned for the welfare of all paramedics, especially after the news that one of our own has been assaulted by a patient at Bankstown Hospital”.

“Paramedics face the risk of violence every shift and are twice as likely than police to be assaulted by patients, bystanders and others,” Ms Bianchi told the Express.

“We are not punching bags and there are no excuses for anyone to assault or verbally abuse us — under any circumstances.”

“It is absolutely abhorrent to APA (NSW) and the general public that there are people in the community who would harm paramedics.

“Paramedics save lives and have joined an amazing profession simply to help those who are in need.”

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