‘WE’RE THERE TO HELP’
AMBULANCE BOSS’ MESSAGE AFTER PARAMEDIC ASSAULT
A DARLING Downs ambulance boss wants residents to show frontline workers more respect after a paramedic was assaulted during a routine call-out.
The incident, which left the Dalby paramedic hospitalised, comes as reports of violence against frontline staff continue to rise.
THE Queensland Ambulance Service leadership has called on the public to respect first responders after a Dalby paramedic was assaulted on Sunday.
The veteran paramedic was responding to a routine callout when their patient turned violent.
QAS Darling Downs Assistance Commissioner Tony Armstrong said the paramedics calmed the man down, but as they were leaving, he pushed one of the officers down a set of stairs and bashed him.
“He suffered some soft tissue injuries and a black eye,” Mr Armstrong said.
The paramedic has since been released from hospital.
“He is travelling okay but there is psychological stress that such an incident can cause,” Mr Armstrong said.
The assault was referred to police and their investigation is ongoing.
Reports of attacks on frontline staff are on the rise but Mr Armstrong said this was because staff were encouraged to report all matters to better protect their colleagues.
“We have strategies in place within our reporting system to flag addresses where there have been instances of occupational violence, so that we get a police response,” he said.
“In this case there was no indication that it was going to result (in violence).”
The QAS has been working with the United Services Union to support staff who have been assaulted.
But Mr Armstrong is calling on the community to step up.
“Physical assaults are minimal, but even one case is one too many,” he said.
“All our frontline workers, whether police, firefighters or paramedics are there to help.
“Leave our paramedics alone so they can do their job and get home safely.”