EMAS leads in assault actions

For the fourth time in five years East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) has topped the league table when it comes to taking legal action against people who have assaulted its paramedics.

Figures released by the NHS show that in 2012-13, of 83 cases reported EMAS took sanctions against 75 assailants, giving the service a success rate of nearly 91 per cent.

Nick Arnold, who heads up EMAS’ local security management team, said: “It is a sad reflection on society that some people who we are trying to help or even bystanders at incidents think it is alright to physically assault our staff.

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“My team’s job is to make sure we track them down and take legal proceedings so they get the message loud and clear – it is not.”

The type of sanctions imposed on assailants can vary from anti-social behaviour orders, banning orders, tagging or, in the most extreme cases, imprisonment.

To help staff report incidents as quickly as possible, a 24-7 telephone service has been introduced.

Also, staff are reminded of the importance of letting the team know each time they either feel threatened or are subjected to violence and to not treat this as part of the job.

Nick added: “Some people do not learn. Alcohol or substance abuse is often put forward as an excuse but that does not wash with us or the legal system.”