A NATIONWIDE ambulance charity is calling for tougher action to be taken against people who assault ambulance service staff.
Figures released by the West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust revealed that physical assaults on front-line paramedics in the region are up by almost 30 per cent.
The Ambulance Services Charity (TASC) – which has its headquarters in Coventry – is delivering a pilot scheme that will enable members of the UK ambulance service to access rehabilitation at designated treatment centres across the UK.
TASC is the leading charity helping to provide vital advice and support to both serving and retired ambulance personnel in times of severe difficulty.
In the last three years, more than 600 West Midland Ambulance staff were attacked on the job.
Lorna Birse-Stewart, chief executive of TASC, said: “It is a completely unacceptable that ambulance staff should have to face physical or verbal abuse while responding to help people who are in desperate need.
“The figures released by West Midlands Ambulance Service are a significant concern with 139 physical assaults on front-line staff reported between April and September this year.
“Ambulance service staff are extremely dedicated and committed to their job and incidents such as this can be really upsetting for all concerned and can result in serious injuries in addition to tying up vital emergency resources.
“A range of support will be available as part of the scheme including physical rehabilitation, physiotherapy and exercise programmes as well as counselling support and health and well-being services.”
If you would like to support or find out more information about the charity please contact 02477 987922.
