Violence ‘not a worry’

By Shaun Inguanzo
THE METROPOLITAN Ambulance Service (MAS) has played down concerns from its own paramedics that violent and aggressive patients are on the rise.
The MAS says it has received no significant increase in the number of reports filed and that the incidents are only occasional.
Star revealed last week that Springvale paramedics had been chased with knives, met with aggression from junkies on designer drugs ICE and GBH, and were concerned the cases were on the rise.
MAS acting general manager of operations Keith Young said if there was a rise, the number of reports filed did not show it.
“I just spoke with the local group manager who was not aware of any significant increase in incidents of violence that have been reported,” he said.
“We employ just over 1300 paramedics across Victoria and attend thousands upon thousands of jobs each year.
“So we do get the occasional incidences of violence against paramedics, but we are very focused on occupational health and safety.”
Springvale paramedic Cecilia Wilmot Griffiths this week said there were incidents paramedics should report but either did not have time to, or were understandable if the patient suffered from acute psychosis or something similar.
Mr Young said the MAS was aware the job posed dangers for paramedics, and following an incident in Bacchus Marsh in 2003 where paramedics were assaulted, new laws had been introduced that made it a criminal offence to hinder the duty of a paramedic.
Other than the law, Mr Young said the MAS was educating its paramedics on how to deal with aggressive patients.
“We are also working on strategies with Victoria Police such as communications strategies highlighting the potential for violence and making sure the appropriate level of assistance is there.
“Where possible our paramedics must also avoid dangerous situations.”