Ireland: 'Ambulance staff may have to wear stab vests', NIAS chief says
Stab vests for Northern Ireland’s paramedics: a rise in assaults on ambulance staff is prompting NIAS chiefs to seriously consider the possibility
Northern Ireland’s paramedics could be fitted with bulletproof vests and body-cams in a bid to tackle the rise in assaults on staff
Michael Bloomfield, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, told the Stormont Health Committee that there had been an “increasing level of abuse against our staff” during the pandemic.
And he warned MLAs that “we are exploring the use of bodycam video” in an ad hoc trial due to start in the next few weeks.
He also said that NIAS is considering equipping rescuers with stab vests as a result of increased abuse directed at paramedics
As paramedics are being verbally and physically assaulted, the Stormont Committee was also informed of the “verbal abuse” of 999 control room staff.
The abuse is so severe, Members were told, that a clinical psychologist is helping staff to cope.
Mr Bloomfield said he is “shocked” that many paramedics are saying it is “just part of the job”, with him saying “it shouldn’t be”.
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