A Challenging Day for Ambulance Crew: Paramedic Shares Experience of Patient Altercation
In an unfortunate incident earlier this year outside Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in west London, a 30-year-old paramedic found himself at the center of an unsettling confrontation. The London Ambulance Service recently released footage capturing the moment when the paramedic was pushed out of an ambulance van by a patient.
The video depicts the patient casually walking away from the scene, leaving the paramedic on the ground. Prior to this physical altercation, the patient had subjected both members of the ambulance crew to verbal abuse, including homophobic language directed at the two men with long hair. Adding to the distressing situation, the patient even urinated inside the ambulance.
Recalling the incident, the paramedic shared, “It was very painful – so much so I thought I had broken my arm at first. There was such a sharp pain and then numbness.” Despite the challenging circumstances, he expressed relief that the case went to court, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness about the unacceptable treatment ambulance crews sometimes face.
“I always wear a body-worn camera now and I make sure I’m never alone with some patients who I think might be a risk,” the paramedic added, highlighting the measures taken to enhance personal safety.
Prompt police intervention led to the patient’s arrest at the scene, and subsequently, the individual was convicted and ordered to compensate the paramedic. The video footage, a crucial piece of evidence, played a significant role in securing the patient’s conviction, according to the London Ambulance Service.
The London Ambulance Service has invested over £3 million in equipping its ambulances with video cameras, aiming to enhance crew safety. Chief Paramedic Dr. John Martin emphasized the commitment to ensuring a safe working environment for ambulance crews, stating, “We cannot, and will not, accept violence or physical threat towards them.”
Highlighting the prevalence of such incidents, the article notes that in the past year, there were 561 reports of physical assaults on ambulance crews. While not all cases go to court for medical reasons, there were 38 successful prosecutions. The LAS has submitted 156 video clips as evidence to the police during the same period.
In response to these challenges, the London Ambulance Service, in collaboration with ambulance services nationwide, launched the ‘Work Without Fear’ campaign. This initiative aims to foster a culture of non-violence and contribute to creating a safer work environment for front-line staff and volunteers. Additionally, the Service has established a dedicated violence reduction unit to encourage colleagues to report incidents of abuse, providing support throughout the court process.