‘Unacceptable’: Paramedic assaulted by patient in ambulance
A PARAMEDIC has suffered facial injuries after being assaulted by a patient in an ambulance en route to Palmerston overnight
Emergency Services
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A PARAMEDIC suffered facial injuries after being assaulted by a patient in an ambulance.
Ambulance Service director Andrew Thomas said the paramedic received soft tissue damage to the face after being assaulted by a patient in the ambulance en route to Palmerston Regional Hospital.
“St John NT is disappointed to report that one of our paramedics was assaulted while attending to a patient last night,” he said.
This assault follows another attack just last week in Alice Springs, where a patient threw an object at a paramedic, hitting them in the head.
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In both cases the paramedics were unable to continue their shifts.
Mr Thomas said St John NT had provided support to these staff members and continues to follow up with them regarding both their physical and psychological welfare.
“So far this year St John NT has reported 10 assaults, both physical and verbal, against staff,” he said.
“In 2020, St John NT reported a total of 71 assaults – this is unacceptable.
“Our paramedics don’t come to work to get assaulted and they should not have to worry about their safety.
“We appeal to the public to support our paramedics and give them space to do their work.
“Assaults such as these are traumatic for the staff involved and have a broader impact on the community.”
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Mr Thomas said if they were required to take crews offline due to attacks such as these the flow on effect could be delays in providing services to others in need.
“Our paramedics deserve the right to be able to do their job uninterrupted and in a safe environment.”
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