by Louise Doyle
A DONEGAL paramedic who was sexually assaulted and had her jaw broken in separate incidents at work, has called for harsher sentences to be handed down to perpetrators of violent crimes against emergency workers.
The frontline worker told the Donegal News she has suffered with panic attacks since her ordeal and had to undergo counselling.
The woman, who did not wish to be named, works for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) as a paramedic.
She also works as a bank 999 control room call taker with the National Ambulance Service (NAS).
“I was assaulted while working as a paramedic three years ago, where a patient broke my jaw. The case was brought to court in 2022. I had to give evidence. He was given a two-year suspended sentence. I was off work due to this for almost 10 months,” said the woman.
“In my case, there were doctors, an accident and emergency visit, x-ray, dental report and CCTV of the assault as it happened in a takeaway, and photographic evidence and witness statements were given to the judge. He was given a suspended sentence.
“After the assault I went back to work too soon. I ended up having panic attacks and was put on medication which didn’t agree with me. I had counselling for nine months.
“In April, I was sexually assaulted by a patient in the back of an ambulance. I am still waiting on the PSNI to follow up on this, due to the patient still being in hospital and not being able to be interviewed.”
Three years ago, the NIAS began piloting body worn cameras.
The woman said this has been a success in the North, but said the same system has not been replicated in the Republic.
She said harsher sentencing needs to be handed out in court for those convicted of assaulting emergency workers.
She also voiced her concern that the low number of gardaí is putting the emergency service at a disadvantage.
“In Northern Ireland it was set that the prosecution for assault on an emergency worker was to be no less than 18 months. Unfortunately this is not happening.
“In the Republic, staff still do not carry body worn cameras. The risk of assault has gone up and although drugs and alcohol have a lot to do with it, patients are also relying on mental health as a defence.
“We do not have enough gardai in this country to help support ambulance or fire service when being confronted by people, this puts our emergency service at a disadvantage. Harsh punishments need to be implemented instead of a suspended sentence. With prisons overrun, they are maybe getting off with a fine which usually is never paid. It should be taken out of their benefits or wages.
“Unpaid community service should also be implemented as going to prison is like a badge of honour for a lot of our people and is no longer a punishment.”
The woman worked as an Emergency Medical Technician for five years for private ambulance, before moving to the USA to study and work as a paramedic.
In 2014, she moved to Yorkshire Ambulance Service before returning home to take up a post with the NIAS five years ago.
Despite her love for her job, the woman said the attacks have forced her to re-evaluate her career.
“I was not the same with patients. I re-evaluated if I wanted to continue in this job. That was one reason why I applied to NAS as a control room 999 call taker because although you take abuse, it is not physical,” she said.
Last week, the Donegal News reported how figures we obtained through a request under the Freedom of Information Act revealed there have been 40 reports of violence, harassment and aggression against HSE ambulance staff in Area West, which includes Donegal, this year to date.
This figure is an 11 per cent jump in the number of overall reported incidents in 2023 (36).
A HSE spokesperson said: “Ensuring the safety of our employees and service users is a priority concern for the HSE National Ambulance Service.
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