Patient is arrested following assault on ambulance staff

AN ambulance crew came under attack by a patient they were treating as they responded to a medical emergency.

A staff member was kicked after the crew was called to an address in Larne on Tuesday night.

Following the assault, the crew transported the patient to hospital for further treatment, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said.

The patient continued to behave in an aggressive manner on the way, including verbal and physical assaults on staff and attempting to damage lifesaving equipment.

Police were called and the patient was arrested for assault, attempted criminal damage and disorderly behaviour.

A spokesman for the NIAS said it was the crew’s first call of the night and they continued to work the remainder of the shift.

Their last call of the shift was to a four-monthold baby who had to be rushed to hospital.

The spokesman said: “If this crew had been unable to carry on with their shift due to the earlier assault, it may have delayed the baby receiving help and getting to hospital for further treatment.

“Attacks on our crews continue at a rate of more than eight a week. This situation is totally unacceptable.”

He added: “These assaults are not something which our crews are able to forget about within minutes.

“We have evidence to show how the impact can be felt years later and the event relived at any moment in time.”