Emergency Medical Service workers in Ontario and Nova Scotia were invited to take part in the study while attending a continuing education seminar this year, and 90 per cent responded.

More than 1,300 paramedics were asked if they had directly been the victims of various forms of violence within the previous 12 months.

Verbal abuse was the most commonly reported among 67.4 per cent EMS workers surveyed, while intimidation was reported by 41.5 per cent of respondents.

Some 26.1 per cent polled reported being physically abused, 13.6 per cent reported sexual harassment, and 2.7 per cent reported sexual assault.

via CTV Toronto.

The question is: what do we do about it?

The easiest part of that question to answer is how we take care of such workers, especially ambulance and fire service staff who should not be expected to have to protect themselves.

In an ideal world, police would always be able to offer that protection. But this is impractical, as police numbers are already stretched without patrol cars riding shotgun every time an ambulance or a fire tender is called out to a remotely dodgy area.

It is shocking that we even have to consider such an option – though clearly there is a real need to provide such cover.

About once a month a Lothians paramedic is attacked as they respond to emergency calls. Incidents have included staff being kicked and bitten, and “spit kits” are being issued so DNA can be used to pursue attackers.

via Edinburgh Evening News .

James Morrison Smith Scalley threatened medics who had been called to treat him by concerned passers-by at Old Monkland Cemetery on May 31.

The 45-year-old, of Hutchison Place, Coatbridge, admitted behaving in a disorderly manner, shouting, swearing, issuing threats to the two men and committing a breach of the peace – all while on bail.

Read full article: Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser.

Richard Carl Bristow, 69, pleaded guilty to assault by beating after ambulance crews arrived to find him passed out at the Oddfellows Arms in Chester.

Rob Youds, prosecuting, said Bristow, of St Anne Street, Newtown, had gone to the pub after doinADVERTISEMENTg some shopping at Iceland.

Read full article: Chester Evening Leader.

Hayley Cooke, 18, tried to punch paramedic Jonathan Busst when he was trying to help her.

He blocked the blow, but she pulled back his finger.

At Brighton Magistrates Court Cooke, of Crest Way, Portslade, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm

Read full article: The Argus

Teen yob Jordan Hampson punched a policeman – breaking his nose – before turning his rage on a hospital security guard.

James Gould, 63, attacked an ambulance technician who was trying to help him – battering him with his walking stick. Both attackers have now been locked up.

Hampson struck after a booze fuelled night in Blackpool.

Read full article: Blackpool Today.

A night with Scotland’s paramedics runs from the nice housing “estates” to the “schemes”, all to deal with over-imbibers. In the debate on how to address Scotland’s battle with booze, the ambulance service, the frontline in that battle, is too often overlooked.

We hear reports of drunks kicking off in police cells and A&E departments and assaulting police officers and nursing staff, but what about the ambulance staff who are often first on the scene?

Read full article: Edinburgh Evening News.

Figures obtained by The Argus show the pressures and risks regularly faced by paramedics in Sussex.

The Freedom of Information figures revealed 40 reported cases of physical assaults across the county between April 2008 and March this year.

Read full article:  The Argus

They barricaded themselves in the living room and, in a scene reminiscent of the movie The Shining, Leonard Hilton plunged the knife into the door, screaming: “Here’s Johnny! Come out and play. I am going to stab you.”

Read full article: mirror.co.uk.

Alcoholic Ian Hewitt faces jail after verbally attacking Sunderland ambulance staff who were trying to treat him.

Read full article: Sunderland Echo.