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08/01/2002
Ambulance workers defer strike action for two months
Northern Ireland ambulance workers have taken a vote to defer strike action for two months as a result of growing attacks on paramedics.
Ambulance crew from all over the province met in Londonderry on Tuesday January 8 to discuss attacks on staff, the most of recent of which injured two ambulance crew at the weekend.
In the attack, a female paramedic was hit on the jaw by a brick and a male driver sustained an eye injury when a brick was thrown through the windscreen of their ambulance in north Belfast.
Chairman of Unison’s Ambulance Service branch in Northern Ireland, Paddy Milligan said staff wanted meetings with Stormont health minister Bairbre de Brún to discuss the continuing attacks. He also called for meetings with Police Service Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan to discuss a zero tolerance approach to people who attack health care and emergency service workers.
One option proposed is for the courts to impose tougher sentences on those convicted of assaults on emergency crews.
Speaking after the meeting Mr Milligan said: “We are trying to provide an essential service to the public. Those who continue to attack our staff are preventing us from doing our job and doing a disservice to us and the people who really need us.”
SDLP Chair of the Health Committee Joe Hendron said he “utterly condemned” the attacks on ambulance staff. Speaking on Monday Mr Hendron said: “I am appalled at these latest attacks. I would appeal to public representatives and all those with influence in the community to work to ensure that ambulance staff can serve the community without fearing for their own safety.” (AMcE)
Ambulance crew from all over the province met in Londonderry on Tuesday January 8 to discuss attacks on staff, the most of recent of which injured two ambulance crew at the weekend.
In the attack, a female paramedic was hit on the jaw by a brick and a male driver sustained an eye injury when a brick was thrown through the windscreen of their ambulance in north Belfast.
Chairman of Unison’s Ambulance Service branch in Northern Ireland, Paddy Milligan said staff wanted meetings with Stormont health minister Bairbre de Brún to discuss the continuing attacks. He also called for meetings with Police Service Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan to discuss a zero tolerance approach to people who attack health care and emergency service workers.
One option proposed is for the courts to impose tougher sentences on those convicted of assaults on emergency crews.
Speaking after the meeting Mr Milligan said: “We are trying to provide an essential service to the public. Those who continue to attack our staff are preventing us from doing our job and doing a disservice to us and the people who really need us.”
SDLP Chair of the Health Committee Joe Hendron said he “utterly condemned” the attacks on ambulance staff. Speaking on Monday Mr Hendron said: “I am appalled at these latest attacks. I would appeal to public representatives and all those with influence in the community to work to ensure that ambulance staff can serve the community without fearing for their own safety.” (AMcE)
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06 February 2017
Ambulance Crews Come Under Attack In Lurgan
Ambulance crews have come under attack in Lurgan . A man smashed the windscreen of an ambulance with an oxygen cylinder that he stole from the vehicle while the staff were treating a man who had been stabbed at around midnight on Friday, 03 February. The ambulance is now unavailable to use until it is repaired next week.
Ambulance Crews Come Under Attack In Lurgan
Ambulance crews have come under attack in Lurgan . A man smashed the windscreen of an ambulance with an oxygen cylinder that he stole from the vehicle while the staff were treating a man who had been stabbed at around midnight on Friday, 03 February. The ambulance is now unavailable to use until it is repaired next week.
05 February 2002
Ambulance staff seek immediate action to stop attacks
Ambulance staff in Northern Ireland have said industrial action is a distinct possibility if attacks on drivers and crew persist. The threat of a strike comes following an attack on an ambulance driver who was taking a seriously ill pensioner to hospital via the Crumlin Road on Monday night.
Ambulance staff seek immediate action to stop attacks
Ambulance staff in Northern Ireland have said industrial action is a distinct possibility if attacks on drivers and crew persist. The threat of a strike comes following an attack on an ambulance driver who was taking a seriously ill pensioner to hospital via the Crumlin Road on Monday night.
29 June 2022
NI Ambulance Staff To Trial Body-Worn Cameras
A number of Northern Ireland Ambulance Service staff are to be issued body-worn cameras in a new trial following an increase in attacks on workers.
NI Ambulance Staff To Trial Body-Worn Cameras
A number of Northern Ireland Ambulance Service staff are to be issued body-worn cameras in a new trial following an increase in attacks on workers.
23 May 2018
Penalties For Attacks On Ambulance Staff Must Be 'Clear Deterrent'
The penalties for attacks on ambulance staff must be used to send a clear deterrent message, DUP MLA Paul Frew has said. Mr Frew said that such attacks "must stop" following the publication of the latest figures which showed that there have been 483 abuse cases against ambulance staff in 2017/18.
Penalties For Attacks On Ambulance Staff Must Be 'Clear Deterrent'
The penalties for attacks on ambulance staff must be used to send a clear deterrent message, DUP MLA Paul Frew has said. Mr Frew said that such attacks "must stop" following the publication of the latest figures which showed that there have been 483 abuse cases against ambulance staff in 2017/18.
21 May 2018
Serious Concerns Raised Over Attacks On Ambulance Staff
Serious concerns have been raised over the number of attacks on ambulance staff. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said it is "deeply concerned" after it was revealed there are over 400 assaults on staff every year. On 19 and 20 May three instances occurred, two of which involved staff needing hospital treatment.
Serious Concerns Raised Over Attacks On Ambulance Staff
Serious concerns have been raised over the number of attacks on ambulance staff. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said it is "deeply concerned" after it was revealed there are over 400 assaults on staff every year. On 19 and 20 May three instances occurred, two of which involved staff needing hospital treatment.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
