Yasmin Catley, Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, called the spike in violence against paramedics, particularly over the last Christmas period, “alarming” as reported by Ambulance Victoria. This new and troubling trend had particularly shocked the organization. They solemnly but urgently implore the public to exercise patience and be respectful of those who serve on the front lines of emergency care. Vanessa Gorman, the regional director of operations for Ambulance Victoria, said it was particularly concerning that both the rate and severity of these attacks were increasing. Yet they’ve now jumped to record highs.
Gorman has more than 30 years of experience working in emergency services. On Tuesday, she announced that she has witnessed violence against paramedics at this level for the first time. “I’ve been in emergency for 30 years, never have I seen anything like this,” she said. As her quote reveals, I don’t think she even realized how widespread this issue is among our workforce. The problem has reached a boiling point, and paramedics are more anxious than ever as they encounter increased dangers doing their jobs.
The Impact of Violence on Paramedics
Stories from paramedics such as Luke Harrington have detailed the trauma they encounter daily on the job. On December 22, near the end of his shift, Harrington’s safe work environment was threatened. One man confronted him by his ambulance, threatening and spitting on him. Such incidents are becoming alarmingly common.
Harrington said he never wasn’t terrified during his time as Administrator. He continued, “You’re constantly on edge, never knowing when a stranger or when a patient is going to go ballistic.” He further stated that the increase in acts of violence puts even more stress on the situation. This compounds an already highly stressful profession and exacerbates vulnerabilities. Without security or protective equipment, paramedics find themselves relying on de-escalation techniques and a bit of luck until police assistance arrives.
The frustrations that ambulance Victoria staff expressed are heard loud and clear across staff. Gorman and her team are deeply concerned for their physical safety. They’re just as concerned about the ways violence is increasing the difficulty of providing patient care.
Government Response and Public Appeal
Given how upsetting these statistics are, it’s no wonder that a spokesman for the Victorian government stated that violence toward paramedics will not be tolerated. To counter increasing attacks on emergency service workers, the government has introduced measures to tougher penalties to protect specialized workers from these kinds of violent assaults. This legislative effort not only protects the paramedics that keep our communities safe, but returns the proper respect to those that deliver critical emergency services.
To that effect, Gorman released a public appeal, asking his community to support their paramedics this summer season and beyond. “Enough is enough. This is unacceptable and we will not tolerate it,” she asserted, urging citizens to treat paramedics with kindness and grace.
She continued by noting how alcohol is a major factor in many of these violent interactions. “Far too often, alcohol is a factor. Gorman pointed out how frequently violence erupts when bystanders or family members disrupt the care paramedics are attempting to deliver. This disruption can impact patient safety and hinder effective emergency response.
A Call for Change
As Ambulance Victoria faces an uncertain future in this hostile environment, Gorman’s words hit home across AV. These constant attacks not only put an incredible burden on paramedics, but have led to loss of focus on delivering quality care quickly.
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