Attack on Paramedic Prompts Urgent Call to End Abuse Against Ambulance Staff
The London Ambulance Service (LAS) has released shocking footage of a 30-year-old paramedic being pushed out of the back of an ambulance by a patient outside Chelsea and Westminster Hospital earlier this year.
The footage shows the paramedic crashing to the ground and landing on his elbow. The paramedic described the incident as being extremely painful, to the extent of initially thinking that he had broken his arm during the fall. The paramedics identity has not been disclosed.
Before the incident, the patient verbally abused both ambulance crew members, using homophobic language due to their long hair. The patient also urinated in the ambulance, according to the medic's statements. The police promptly arrested and convicted the patient, who has been ordered to compensate the injured paramedic.
Expressing relief that the case went to court, the injured paramedic stated that the incident should serve as a reminder to the public that abusive behaviour towards medical staff is unacceptable. They went on to add that since the incident they have begun to wear a body-cam, and ensured that they are never alone with patients they believe may be a risk to their safety.
The incident highlights a concerning trend in the UK, with 561 reported cases of physical assault on ambulance crews in the last year. The LAS has invested over £3 million to equip their ambulances with video cameras to deter aggressive patients, and to document incidents that occur. Of those cases, only 38 were prosecuted as many did not go to court due to medical grounds.
The LAS is actively encouraging its staff to report all incidents of abuse, providing support through the court process and operating a dedicated violence reduction unit.
