General News
19 July, 2024
Safety concerns for paramedics
AMBULANCE Victoria (AV) is urging everyone to treat paramedics and call takers with respect when they see them at an emergency incident or in the community.
The call comes in light of a recent report that showed there had been more than 100 reported incidents against paramedics, resulting in injury, between July last year and March 2024.
While paramedics work hard to provide the best possible care and assistance to communities, they continue to be exposed to occupational violence and abuse.
Recent incidents have included a paramedic being grabbed and punched in the face by a patient they were treating, while another suffered a dislocation after a patient became aggressive.
Paramedics have also been harassed and followed by patients threatening to assault them.
Additionally, Ambulance Victoria members are often exposed to situations involving verbal assault, swearing and name calling.
This escalating behaviour can result in paramedics pausing their treatment or withdrawing from the scene or terminating a call.
Ambulance Victoria executive director of regional operations Danielle North said violence against paramedics was never OK and the behaviour was not accepted as part of the job.
“We know emergency situations can be stressful for people, but this is no excuse to behave aggressively towards paramedics,” Ms North said.
“We are aware of several serious occupational violence incidents recently across the state and it is timely that we remind the community again that violence against paramedics, first responders and call takers is never OK.
“Our top priority is the safety of our paramedics and first responders, and they have our full support to leave an incident if they ever feel unsafe.
“Assaulting or berating a paramedic will not help them do their job any quicker.”
For paramedics to provide quick and effective treatment for patients, they need a safe environment to work in.
Paramedics are fully supported by AV in reporting their experience with police.
Injuring an emergency worker in Victoria is a category one offence and carries a mandatory minimum six-month jail sentence.
Paramedic Brodie Thomas has been physically assaulted and spat on while working and is calling on the community to stamp out this behaviour.
“If you ever need us, please know that we are doing our very best to help you,” he said.
“We know the majority of our patients and community members do not behave this way, but it only takes one incident to cause serious physical or mental harm.
“More and more often, paramedics are carrying a heightened cognitive load when they arrive at incidents; having to constantly make dynamic risk assessments knowing there’s a chance they could be harmed.”
Paramedics are trained in a variety of strategies to assess, manage and de-escalate violent or aggressive scenes, but ideally paramedics shouldn’t need to use these skills.
AV is committed to exploring ways to reduce and prevent occupational violence and its staff are encouraged to report every instance of this behaviour.
For more information on the impact of occupational violence on paramedics and how you can help, visit www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/campaigns/respect-our-paramedics.
