Menu
23/05/2007
Attacks on emergency workers rising
Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, says he will consider introducing legislation to deter attacks on emergency service staff.
Outlining the extent of the problem Mr McGimpsey said the number of attack on emergency workers over the past year are still on the rise despite increased publicity and public awareness. There were 5,926 attacks on health and social care workers last year an increase of 6%.
The Minister was speaking following an Assembly debate on a motion calling for him to make it an offence punishable by imprisonment for a period not exceeding nine months, or by a fine up to £5,000, or both, for all persons assaulting emergency workers engaged in the pursuit of their duty or impeding persons assisting such emergency workers.
Mr McGimpsey said: “It is appalling to imagine that those dedicated to saving lives and public service should be subjected to physical and verbal abuse while carrying out their jobs.
“Ambulance staff, doctors and nurses, the Fire and Rescue Service, the Prison Service and the PSNI have served all of the people of Northern Ireland without fear or favour over the thirty years of the troubles, it is unacceptable that they are increasingly the subject of attack or abuse.
“Emergency services staff must have confidence that they will receive the support of their employer when making a complaint against those who have attacked them.”
While recognising the need for tough legislation such as that introduced in Scotland in 2005 the Minister pointed to other ways in which attacks on emergency services staff could be deterred. Initiatives include publicity campaigns, personal alarms systems for lone workers, close circuit television and increased security in Accident and Emergency departments.
(JM/SP)
Outlining the extent of the problem Mr McGimpsey said the number of attack on emergency workers over the past year are still on the rise despite increased publicity and public awareness. There were 5,926 attacks on health and social care workers last year an increase of 6%.
The Minister was speaking following an Assembly debate on a motion calling for him to make it an offence punishable by imprisonment for a period not exceeding nine months, or by a fine up to £5,000, or both, for all persons assaulting emergency workers engaged in the pursuit of their duty or impeding persons assisting such emergency workers.
Mr McGimpsey said: “It is appalling to imagine that those dedicated to saving lives and public service should be subjected to physical and verbal abuse while carrying out their jobs.
“Ambulance staff, doctors and nurses, the Fire and Rescue Service, the Prison Service and the PSNI have served all of the people of Northern Ireland without fear or favour over the thirty years of the troubles, it is unacceptable that they are increasingly the subject of attack or abuse.
“Emergency services staff must have confidence that they will receive the support of their employer when making a complaint against those who have attacked them.”
While recognising the need for tough legislation such as that introduced in Scotland in 2005 the Minister pointed to other ways in which attacks on emergency services staff could be deterred. Initiatives include publicity campaigns, personal alarms systems for lone workers, close circuit television and increased security in Accident and Emergency departments.
(JM/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 November 2006
'Malicious' fires in west Belfast
Police in west Belfast are investigating two suspected arson attacks within the last 24-hours. The first incident was reported at around 9pm yesterday evening, when emergency services were alerted to a blaze at a house in the Gartree Place area of Andersonstown. No one was in the property at the time.
'Malicious' fires in west Belfast
Police in west Belfast are investigating two suspected arson attacks within the last 24-hours. The first incident was reported at around 9pm yesterday evening, when emergency services were alerted to a blaze at a house in the Gartree Place area of Andersonstown. No one was in the property at the time.
07 January 2002
Ambulance staff threaten strike action
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service staff are threatening to take strike action over a series of serious attacks on emergency personnel attending incidents in the province. The latest attack left a female paramedic with face injuries when a brick was thrown through the windscreen off an ambulance in north Belfast.
Ambulance staff threaten strike action
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service staff are threatening to take strike action over a series of serious attacks on emergency personnel attending incidents in the province. The latest attack left a female paramedic with face injuries when a brick was thrown through the windscreen off an ambulance in north Belfast.
21 June 2005
Safety scheme hopes to reduce attacks on emergency services
A new scheme has been launched by the Belfast Community Safety Partnership to reduce attacks on emergency services in west Belfast. Pupils from primary and secondary schools will meet with ambulance crew, police and fire officers to listen to how attacks affect them and the community.
Safety scheme hopes to reduce attacks on emergency services
A new scheme has been launched by the Belfast Community Safety Partnership to reduce attacks on emergency services in west Belfast. Pupils from primary and secondary schools will meet with ambulance crew, police and fire officers to listen to how attacks affect them and the community.
26 June 2001
UNACCEPTABLE ATTACKS ON EMERGENCY SERVICES
THE Northern Ireland Health Minister Bairbre de Brún has expressed serious concern at the increasing number of attacks on the fire and ambulance services and condemned them as “totally unacceptable”.
UNACCEPTABLE ATTACKS ON EMERGENCY SERVICES
THE Northern Ireland Health Minister Bairbre de Brún has expressed serious concern at the increasing number of attacks on the fire and ambulance services and condemned them as “totally unacceptable”.
02 August 2017
Air Ambulance Service In NI Launches
A new air ambulance service is to become fully operational today, 02 August. The service will be based at the former Maze prison site near Lisburn and will be able to reach any part of NI within 25 minutes.
Air Ambulance Service In NI Launches
A new air ambulance service is to become fully operational today, 02 August. The service will be based at the former Maze prison site near Lisburn and will be able to reach any part of NI within 25 minutes.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
