Paramedics are risking abuse and violence on Gloucester's streets
PARAMEDICS are risking physical or verbal abuse more than twice a day on the streets of Gloucester.
Figures obtained by The Citizen show that paramedics were called 822 times to just seven homes in Gloucester in 2010 – each of which is a violent address.
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Ambulance officials have called the danger to their staff "totally unacceptable".
The "high risk" addresses are locations where patients or the public are known or believed to threaten or cause danger to Great Western Ambulance Service's (GWAS) staff.
Figures also showed two paramedics had been assaulted on the streets of Gloucester in the last year.
John Oliver, GWAS spokesman, said they were determined to prosecute those who threatened staff.
"While assaults, physical and/or verbal, are comparatively rare, clearly it is totally unacceptable for any member of our staff to be subject to assault or abuse," he said.
"We have very clear procedures in place for staff to report any assaults and then we act on them, including supporting any criminal prosecutions."
He said there were times when the police were asked to attend the addresses with paramedics, but said each call out was assessed individually.
He added that training was given to staff so they could identify situations that could turn violent. They were also taught ways to diffuse and deal with those situations.
When a high-risk address resident phones, the call handler is informed on screen, and information is sent to the ambulance. It could urge paramedics to approach with caution or wait for police presence.
Andrew Gravells, chairman of the joint health security committee that monitors the ambulance service, said: "There is a fine balance to be struck here between the safety of the paramedics and the health needs of the patient who requires their help.
"It's reassuring to know that the paramedics are notified of addresses where there could possibly be problems and are aware of the issues that they could possibly have to face."
Ron Pardoe, from Stroud, has been rushed to hospital three times in 2010 because of a dislocated shoulder.
The 62-year-old said: "When they arrive they're like guardian angels to me.
"I can't believe people can be abusive to someone who is there to help then and is there to relieve their pain."
6 Comments
by brsteve, Gloucester
Thursday, December 30 2010, 9:11PM
“simple just take the police with them when going to these addresses ,who is running the police force ?.”
by PSW, Gloucester
Thursday, December 30 2010, 7:48PM
“"paramedics were called 822 times to just seven homes"
Prosecute them for hoax calls, bill them, educate them, call challenge in the Control Rooms.......
I just hope these timewasters are not turning ambulances out on blue lights, putting other roadusers and pedestrians at risk.”
by Denzil, Glaws
Thursday, December 30 2010, 1:30PM
“Any person who commits, or threatens an assault on Ambulance Staff should be ordered to pay for any further treatment or transportation, regardless of the fact that they may be on benefits. £250 a time should be just about right.
Of course this will never happen because of all the do-gooders and PC wimps who will complain about the rights of the patient rather than the rights of the ambulance staff, EVERY case of assault or threatened assault should end up in court..........we MUST protect every member of the emergency services.”
by Quedgeley Guy, Quedgeley
Thursday, December 30 2010, 11:13AM
“Simple Answer: Withdraw all services from the offending 7 addresses with an option to blacklist individuals.”
by Douglas, Dymock
Thursday, December 30 2010, 10:13AM
“Arm the drivers with a taser gun, that should sort it.”
by Danny, Gloucester
Thursday, December 30 2010, 9:43AM
“"paramedics were called 822 times to just seven homes"
That is incredible. That averages out to once every three days to one of these homes. I wonder what the definition of a "home" is in these cases (bail hostel?) but you can bet the people aren't tax payers.”