Paramedic assaulted during medical emergency

A paramedic was left unable to continue with his shift after being assaulted by a patient he was treating in Londonderry, the NI Ambulance Service has said.

An ambulance crew was called to a medical emergency in Derry in the early hours of Monday and had to take a man to Altnagelvin Hospital’s Emergency Department.

However, on leaving the ambulance, he struck out at the paramedic tending to him.

According to the Ambulance Service, the paramedic had to be treated in the ED for scratches and bruises to his arms.

Police arrived and made an arrest at the scene.

A NIAS spokesperson said: “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.”

The spokesperson added: “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.

“NIAS will continue to call for the full rigour of the law to be applied in instances where evidence against an assailant is clear and indisputable.

“We are heartened at some of the recent sentences that have been passed and hope that those who find themselves before the court on such charges will face the real prospect of custodial sentences.”