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29/06/2022
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.
Welcoming the Body Worn Video trial, SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath said that while it was "deeply regrettable" the trial had been introduced any measure that would increase protection by discouraging the abuse of staff should be considered.
South Down MLA Mr McGrath said: "While it's disgraceful that this trial has come about as the result of a rise in assaults on ambulance service staff, I welcome the efforts to tackle this issue. The wearing of body-worn cameras will both dissuade people from attacking ambulance service staff in the first place, while also helping prosecute anyone who does attack or mistreat our staff and sends a clear message of zero tolerance on this issue.
"Our ambulance staff perform a vital role in our community in very difficult circumstances, through their work they save lives each and every day and there can be no excuse for assaulting them while they are trying to carry out their job. One attack is too many, but 603 attacks in 2020/21 shows how serious this issue has become.
"These attacks have far-reaching consequences, staff can be left with lasting physical and mental scars and many are forced to take periods off work, at a time when our ambulance service is already under huge pressure and patients face longer waits. Being attacked in the line of duty also stops our ambulance staff from providing treatment and transporting a patient to hospital, potentially putting their life at risk. I look forward to the findings of this trial and hope to see this measure introduced on a wider basis to protect both patients and ambulance service staff."
Welcoming the Body Worn Video trial, SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath said that while it was "deeply regrettable" the trial had been introduced any measure that would increase protection by discouraging the abuse of staff should be considered.
South Down MLA Mr McGrath said: "While it's disgraceful that this trial has come about as the result of a rise in assaults on ambulance service staff, I welcome the efforts to tackle this issue. The wearing of body-worn cameras will both dissuade people from attacking ambulance service staff in the first place, while also helping prosecute anyone who does attack or mistreat our staff and sends a clear message of zero tolerance on this issue.
"Our ambulance staff perform a vital role in our community in very difficult circumstances, through their work they save lives each and every day and there can be no excuse for assaulting them while they are trying to carry out their job. One attack is too many, but 603 attacks in 2020/21 shows how serious this issue has become.
"These attacks have far-reaching consequences, staff can be left with lasting physical and mental scars and many are forced to take periods off work, at a time when our ambulance service is already under huge pressure and patients face longer waits. Being attacked in the line of duty also stops our ambulance staff from providing treatment and transporting a patient to hospital, potentially putting their life at risk. I look forward to the findings of this trial and hope to see this measure introduced on a wider basis to protect both patients and ambulance service staff."
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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.
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.
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.
18 March 2003
Paramedics boycott riot situations after assaults
The ambulance service in north Belfast have said that they will not be attending public disorder situations in certain areas after crews were assaulted on two occasions over the weekend.
Paramedics boycott riot situations after assaults
The ambulance service in north Belfast have said that they will not be attending public disorder situations in certain areas after crews were assaulted on two occasions over the weekend.
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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.
