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23/05/2018
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.
The North Antrim MLA said: "Our ambulance staff, and all those working in emergency medicine operate within a very difficult environment. Those who would attack those staff in any way are not just increasing the pressures upon our health service, but are attacking staff who are doing an invaluable job on behalf of the community.
"Within the 483 abuse incidents reported in 2017/18 there will have been physical assault and violence. The law places such attacks on a par with those against police officers and firefighters and it is vital that incidents are prosecuted and those responsible facing the full weight of the law.
"Successful prosecutions through the courts would send out a very clear message of how seriously such incidents are viewed. It is clear however that both for ambulance crews and firefighters, such prosecutions have not been forthcoming.
"A clear deterrent combined with a strong message of education about the impact these attacks have on the service delivered to us all can hopefully see this situation improve."
(MH/LM)
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.
The North Antrim MLA said: "Our ambulance staff, and all those working in emergency medicine operate within a very difficult environment. Those who would attack those staff in any way are not just increasing the pressures upon our health service, but are attacking staff who are doing an invaluable job on behalf of the community.
"Within the 483 abuse incidents reported in 2017/18 there will have been physical assault and violence. The law places such attacks on a par with those against police officers and firefighters and it is vital that incidents are prosecuted and those responsible facing the full weight of the law.
"Successful prosecutions through the courts would send out a very clear message of how seriously such incidents are viewed. It is clear however that both for ambulance crews and firefighters, such prosecutions have not been forthcoming.
"A clear deterrent combined with a strong message of education about the impact these attacks have on the service delivered to us all can hopefully see this situation improve."
(MH/LM)
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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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08 January 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.
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.
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