Ambulance Worker Assaulted In Co Antrim

An ambulance worker has been assaulted by a patient in Larne, Co Antrim.

The patient kicked the crew member as they were taking him to hospital for further treatment on Tuesday, 28 November.

However, while they were on there way to the hospital the patient continued to behave in an aggressive manner, including verbal and physical assaults on staff and attempting to damage lifesaving equipment.

Police arrived at the scene and the suspect was arrested for assault, attempted criminal damage and disorderly behaviour.

A spokesperson from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said: "This was the crew's first call of the night, and they continued to work the remainder of their shift despite this violent incident. In contrast, the last call of their shift was to a four-month-old baby who had to be rushed to hospital. If this crew had been unable to carry on with their shift due to the earlier assault, it may have delayed the baby receiving help and getting to hospital for further treatment.

"Attacks on our crews continue at a rate of more than 8 a week. This situation is totally unacceptable. We have previously talked about the impact that these attacks have on the communities we serve in terms of crews being stood down mid-shift. We have talked about the potential for the loss of life as a result of reduced cover following these assaults. While this potential still exists we are even more concerned about the impact of such assaults on the health and well-being of our staff.

"These assaults are not something which our crews are able to forget about within minutes. We have evidence to show how the impact can be felt years later and the event relived at any moment in time."

(CD/LM)