Serious assault injures paramedic
Friday, 12 June, 2020
A paramedic has been physically assaulted while attempting to treat a patient in Shepparton, Victoria. The female paramedic has been taken to hospital suffering severe pain and a partially dislocated shoulder.
Two paramedics were dispatched to an emergency case in the early hours of Thursday morning to respond to a male patient with shortness of breath. While attempting to treat the patient, he became aggressive and attacked one of the paramedics.
The paramedics evacuated the location, leaving their equipment behind, and retreated to the ambulance where they alerted police. The (VAU) was advised that the patient followed the paramedics to the ambulance and continued to threaten violence against the paramedics.
VAU General Secretary Danny Hill said, “This was a disgusting and brutal assault against two paramedics who were simply doing their job and trying to care for their patient.
“No one deserves to be assaulted while doing their job. Assaulting a paramedic who is trying to help you is a truly low act.”
According to , on average a paramedic is assaulted in Victoria every 50 hours. said that a paramedic is assaulted in NSW an average of three times per week.
Research conducted by academic Professor Brian Maguire found that, compared with other occupational groups, Australian paramedics have the nation’s highest rate of occupational injury and assaults. According to Professor Maguire, the injury rate is twice as high as that of police officers.
Using figures from 2001 to 2014, Professor Maguire found the number of violence-related cases against paramedics and ambulance officers had increased from five to 40 per year. The study also found female paramedics have a disproportionately higher risk than men.
A by Professor Maguire of nearly 1800 paramedics from around the world found 65% had been physically attacked while on duty.
Victoria's Q3 median ED wait times the lowest on record
Victoria's quarter three performance data (January–March) has shown improvement across...
Irregularities in a clinician's cases prompt 15-month lookback
St Vincent's ϳԹȺ Sydney has detailed a 15-month lookback review — prompted by...
Two researchers receive $899,000 in cardiovascular funding
In heart-related news this Heart Week (5–11 May), two University of Newcastle researchers...