The Paramedics union is demanding action from NSW Ambulance and the Government over the numbers of assaults on paramedics following yet another cowardly attack in Wollongong.
A female paramedic was allegedly punched in the face, sustaining bruising, after coming to the aid of an intoxicated man who crashed his mobility scooter in Wollongong’s Crown St Mall on Tuesday night.
Australian Paramedics Association (NSW) President Chris Kastelan said paramedics were fed up with being assaulted by patients and attacked by by-standers as they tried to assist people who have been injured.
“We have an alcohol and drug fuelled segment of the community who think assaulting paramedics is acceptable and we are seeing way too much violence directed against our members who are only trying to do their jobs and help people in need,” Mr Kastelan said.
“There is no excuse for belting a paramedic and anyone who thinks this kind of outrageous behaviour is acceptable needs to wake up to themselves,” he said.
“NSW Ambulance hasn’t done enough to protect paramedics who often go into highly charged situations where people affected by alcohol and drugs are behaving in a manner that can only be described as ‘out of control’.”
Mr Kastelan said four assaults on paramedics in Wollongong so far this year was a bad start to the year and it was important that paramedics are not the target of physical and violent attacks.
Mr Kastelan said the NSW Parliament had enacted legislation to increase penalties for attacks on emergency services workers, but that a loophole in the legislation prevented charges being laid against some perpetraitors. APA (NSW) has been calling for changes to legislation to close the loophole but to date nothing has been done.
“We know that assaults deeply affect paramedics, adding to their already high levels of stress, and can have significant impacts for the rest of their lives. Everyone deserves to feel safe at work and paramedics are no exception.”
“The NSW Government and NSW Ambulance has been promising to do more to protect paramedics on the job but as far as we are concerned little has changed, and the situation is getting worse.”
Mr Kastelan said a case last month in Wodonga saw an assault on two NSW Paramedics working across the border in Victoria resulted in no jail time for the attack.
“Victoria has enacted tougher penalties in an attempt to deter assaults on paramedics but the laws and the system continue to fail paramedics. Paramedics are concerned that if people don’t believe that there will be significant repercussions for their actions that they will continue to be at risk.”
