ST JOHN NT
NEWSROOM

St John Ambulance Australia (NT) Inc. (St John NT) is disappointed and frustrated with another assault on one of its crew overnight.

This is the second assault upon a paramedic in a week.

Last night a male paramedic was struck to the head by a patient as the paramedic was attempting to assist him into an ambulance for transport to hospital.

The paramedic sustained a blow to the head which required assessment at the hospital.

Director of Ambulance Services, Andrew Thomas says that this situation is in no way acceptable.

“Our paramedics don’t come to work to get assaulted. And they should not have to worry about their safety.

“This incident brings the number of assaults to 41 for this year, a staggering statistic,” he said.

Every year, on average one in six Territorians uses an ambulance and St John NT paramedics attend more than 52,000 cases across the NT.

St John NT welcomes the amendments that have been introduced to the Criminal Code to impose higher penalties for assaulting paramedics and fire and emergency service workers.

So far this year there have been 28 physical assaults against St John NT staff and 13 verbal assaults.

“Our priority is to be able to care for those in need and help our community, our paramedics need to be able to do their job uninterrupted and in a safe environment.” he added.