Toby Crockford reports in the Brisbane Times (13.3.16) on new government measures to help protect Queensland paramedics from assaults by alcohol- and drug-affected patients.
‘The number of assaults on Queensland paramedics is increasing, but with State Government funding and a dedicated taskforce reviewing procedures, its hoped officer injuries will soon decrease.
‘There were 226 physical and verbal attacks on paramedics between June 2014 and June 2015, which was up from 193 recorded the year before.
‘In addition, during the six-month period between July 2015 and December 2015, 160 physical and verbal attacks on Queensland paramedics were recorded.
‘Craig Emery, Senior Member of the Paramedic Safety Taskforce, said, “It sickens me that a paramedic who is trying to help someone gets attacked.”
‘The abuse of illicit substances are a common cause of violence against paramedics.’