Ambulances officers now have permission to refuse to help a patient, even if they are dying, if they feel unsafe.
Twenty assaults on paramedics this year led to talks between the NSW Government’s Health Minister Brad Hazzard, union leaders and counter terrorism experts.
But there is pressure on the NSW Government to employ more paramedics to address the situation.
Amulance Offices in NSW can now refuse to help patients if they feel unsafe
Mr Hazzard has promised to take up the matter with the treasurer, NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley has promised an extra 500 and the Health Union wants 1,000 more.
More paramedics would ensure ambulances officers do not have to travel alone and would help address the safety issue.
One paramedic Steven Fraser told Seven News a gun has been pointed at him and he’s also been ‘spat on and punched’.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard (pictured) made the announcement at a meeting with the unions and security experts on Friday
Paramedics will need to take a risk assessment and ‘make a judgement call’, NSW Ambulance Commissioner Dominic Morgan told Seven.
‘If that means the paramedic needs to stand off until the situation is clarified, or the police are in attendance, then we will back our paramedics to do that,’ he said.
Campelltown Paramedic Jason Kirkaldy told the network he supports the move.
‘If you ask any paramedic, I think the majority of us, if not all of us, have been attacked at least once on our career,’ he said.
Mr Hazzard told the meeting paramedics on the frontline should be ’empowered to make a decision’ if their safety is at risk.
The announcements comes after the Health Services Union on Monday warned the NSW ambulance service is ‘struggling to send two paramedics on each call-out’, exposing lone responders to violent attacks.
‘This is all about paramedics being assaulted,’ HSU NSW secretary Gerard Hayes told AAP on Monday.
Twenty assaults on paramedics have taken place this year and the Health Services Union are asking for more paramedics.