Plea made for end to attacks on ambulance staff

Ambulance personnel in Northern Ireland today issued a new plea for an end to an increasing numbers of attacks, which they claim are endangering paramedics and patients alike.

The Ambulance Service and health union Unison said violent incidents had doubled over the past 12 months and were showing no signs of abating.

The tendency for more direct violence was growing, they claimed, including threats by individuals brandishing knives and attacks on ambulance stations by groups of youths.

Ambulance Service director of operations Liam McIvor said: ‘‘This is a very serious issue as assaults of this nature can hamper our ability to quickly respond to 999 calls.

‘‘We call upon everyone in this community to support staff and to discourage and condemn those, who by either assaults or intimidation, threaten not just our staff but the lives of patients.’’

At a joint news conference in Belfast, Unison official Lily Kerr said: ‘‘Ambulance staff over the past 30 years in particular have served their communities without fear or favour.

‘‘It is somehow ironic that in the past 18 months ambulance crews are carrying out their duties with fear for their own personal safety.

‘‘I would appeal to all political, civil and religious leaders within the community to bring all influence to bear to ensure that ambulance staff are allowed to carry out their duties in an atmosphere free from fear and violence.’’