Queensland paramedics assaulted, spat on, and driven to the edge in the course of their daily routine
QAS paramedic Geoff Cameron has been assaulted on the job. Picture: Tara Croser
QUEENSLAND’S paramedics have faced more than 200 assaults in the past 12 months.
The Courier-Mail can reveal 247 claims of assault, including verbal and accidental, were made in 2014-15 – an increase of more than 40 on the previous year.
Incidents include paramedics being kicked, spat on, threatened and even bitten by patients.
South Brisbane co-ordinator Dominic Payne had to undergo six months of blood tests, as required by QAS, after he was bitten by a teenage girl who had hepatitis B.
“She was drug affected and became very violent in the back of the ambulance,” he said.
“She bit into my wrist and drew blood. I had to have injections every month for six months to make sure I wasn’t affected by her hepatitis B.”
Paramedic Geoff Cameron had to take 10 months off work in 2014 after a build-up of assault and abuse finally “snowballed” and he took an extended leave of absence after he was attacked by a handcuffed man under the influence of ice.
“I took about 15 or so kicks to the chest and face,” he said.
“I was spat on – in the mouth, so I had six months of hepatitis C testing and he was charged with serious assault and got nine months’ jail. I felt violated – it was a bit unfair.
“I was trying to help. I ended up getting out of the ambulance and the intensive care nurse took over – I was pretty upset.”
Mr Cameron said he also struggled after a man threatened him with a knife, and after he failed to resuscitate a baby.
Advanced care paramedic Gordon Smith, 63, was one of three paramedics spat on by a drug-affected patient last month.
Mr Smith and two other colleagues must now undergo six months of blood testing.
“I had to go home and change because someone spat in my face,” he said.
“It’s not very nice but the particular fellow was off his face on some drug – not sure what.
“He’s obviously a fairly addicted person and it came unexpectedly.
“We knew he was greatly affected – we don’t know what was going through his head. He spat all over the ambulance all the way to the hospital. He wasn’t in his right mind.”
Metro North assistant commissioner Gavin Trembath said there were about 170 peer supporters and 56 psychologists across the state helping paramedics with stress-related issues.
Mr Trembath said he was unaware of anyone quitting the job due to stress and said the message was clear that one assault was one too many.
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15 kicks to the head and chest from a handcuffed man!Gravity and inertia would push you back after the 1st kick, why go back for more.Obviously if the man was handcuffed police were in attendance, what were they doing.I am sure if police could not have stopped the 1st kick, they most certainly would have stopped the 2nd kick from happening.
Paramedics must be given the power to make professional judgements as to whether to continue with their assistance/care if a situation appears to be dangerous because of drugs or alcohol. These men and women are not cage fighters and if it seems unlikey that they are able to administer medical service, they should drive away. I can remember seeing a doco on TV about an Ambo crew in Sydney and it was a huge eye opener, quite violent at times and some 'patients' were disgusting, no other word for it.
Unfortunately assaults against paramedics are too common. The Assist Commissioners response is not only inadequate but also not reassuring as a paramedic.
Mr Trembath, what is the QAS doing about assaults against paramedics to prevent further harm to your officers? What is the QAS doing about this serious issue to keep myself and my colleagues safe? Thank you for pointing out the number of peer support and physiologists but is this the answer to assaults against paramedics? Let work on prevention and not the stress and psychological management after the event.
The message from senior management that one assault was too many is too frequent and not solving the problem.
Assaults are not only increasing, they are also becoming more serious. I'm concerned that many officers don't report these assaults so the true magnitude of assault against paramedics is underestimated. Assaults are only reportable if they are recorded through the complex incident reporting system.
Unfortunately the QAS is not equipped to manage this issue and it will take a serious injury or death to effect change amongst our leaders.
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