The reports were so startling that even at a time of maximum distraction before Christmas, if you heard them they made an impression: a young man celebrating his 18th birthday suffered a terrible accident, his legs severed by a train, but instead of welcoming assistance, partygoers allegedly threw rocks at police and pushed and insulted the paramedics trying to save his life. Could this really be the reaction in 21st century Australia to paramedics going about their job helping the sick and injured?
While that incident is still before the courts, new data detailed in the Sun-Herald today suggests that, unfortunately, the respect we once held for paramedics is fragmenting and physical and verbal violence towards them is rising.
Paramedics are being punched, kicked, bitten, kneed, spat on, strangled and threatened with knives. NSW Ambulance figures show recorded assaults against paramedics surged last year to 174, up from 142 the previous year and 107 in 2012.
Some of that escalation may be due to increased reporting, which the service’s “zero tolerance” policy now encourages, but the very real violence behind the statistics must not be dismissed. Cleary the status quo is not working. New measures are needed to protect our paramedics.
Even without the threat of violence from the public, paramedics face serious workplace risks. An analysis of compensation claims found they have a fatality rate five times higher than the average Australian worker, dying mainly in emergency vehicle crashes or being hit by cars while working on roadsides. They have a higher injury rate than police. Lifting, and carrying injuries were mainly to blame, but violence from assaults was also a serious contributor.
Other Australian jurisdictions are trying to stop the violence. Last year Queensland doubled the maximum penalty for those who assault health workers to 14 years. Victoria has established statutory minimum sentences of between two and five years for various categories of offence involving serious injury to emergency workers. Attacks causing other injuries will incur at least six months’ jail. Anyone found guilty of murdering an on-duty emergency worker will go to prison for 30 years.
In 2010, NSW made it an offence to obstruct or hinder a paramedic in the execution of their duties with a maximum penalty of two years’ jail. If an act of violence is involved, this increases to five years. Fed up paramedics are bringing matters to police more often, and a growing number of offenders are going to jail, although the maximum sentence is yet to be given.
The Sun-Herald is not generally in favour of mandatory minimum sentences, with the exception of murder. However, more needs to be done to send a strong message that abuse of paramedics is intolerable. In one instance, two female paramedics were attacked and punched and the perpetrator let off on a good behaviour bond. All options need to be canvassed. Paramedics are at a loss to understand why they are increasingly becoming targets. Is it a sign of failure in our alcohol, drugs, mental health, and welfare policies? Serious study into the causes of the violence is required, and steps taken to keep our paramedics safe. They may be on the front line of medical emergencies but they should not have to feel like they are in a war zone.