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Question and Answer Tracking Details

3991 - PARAMEDICS ABUSED ON JOB

Hornery, Sonia to the Minister for Health, and Minister for Medical Research

What steps is the Minister taking to protect paramedics from patient violence?

Answer -

I am advised:

NSW Ambulance holds the welfare and safety of paramedics as paramount, and has a number of measures in place if there is a threat of potential harm or danger.
In the most serious cases, ambulance paramedics are advised to "stand off" and await the arrival of police before approaching or entering the address.
Training programs are in place for all NSW Ambulance paramedics to assist them in identifying and then dealing with potentially volatile patient situations to minimise the risk of assault, and NSW Ambulance supports paramedics making these decisions.
The Health Services Act 1997 contains an offence of intentionally obstructing or hindering an ambulance paramedic providing services to a person, with penalties of up to two years imprisonment - five if combined with an act of violence.
Paramedics have the full respect and support of the NSW Government.


Question asked on 21 May 2013 (session 55-1) and printed in Questions & Answers Paper No. 155
Answer received on 25 June 2013 and printed in Questions & Answers Paper No. 164