Attacks on paramedics: ‘It’s nasty’

A SPIKE in assaults on paramedics has St John saying it will start regularly pressing charges against those responsible.

Paramedics’ concerns have been highlighted by three assaults on St John staff in Hawke’s Bay in the past fortnight.

Last Friday, a paramedic sustained broken ribs and bruising after he was assaulted by a man having a medical emergency in public toilets in central Hastings.

Also in Hastings, the partner of a woman being treated became abusive towards paramedics. Police had to be called.

And an ambulance staffer was hurt in Napier when a drunk man with a head injury became physically aggressive.

St John district operations manager for Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu Steve Yanko said: ‘‘As well as serious assaults, we’re seeing an increase in verbal abuse and intimidation. Having ambulance staff ending up in emergency departments needing treatment is on the increase.

‘‘We’re used to people being emotionally charged, and we’re trained in how to talk people down, but now we’re seeing those strategies are not working and people just lash out,’’ Yanko said.

The time had come for zero tolerance, and any physical assault would result in charges being laid.

Ambulance Association chairman Mark Quin said the rise in assaults on paramedics in recent years was largely due to patients abusing alcohol and drugs.

Frustration over wait times was also a factor. People were calling ambulances for minor problems instead of going to a GP, which was delaying paramedics from life-threatening cases.

And, as a third of ambulances were only crewed by one paramedic, they were in potentially significant danger if called to a gang house or to a patient with psychiatric issues.