On average a paramedic is assaulted in Victoria every 50 hours. Last year 147 paramedics were assaulted.
Aggression and violence against paramedics and other health workers is totally unacceptable. It’s never OK.
Our paramedics will leave scenes where they don’t feel safe.
Violence can have a devastating impact on our staff, like Darelle, whose jaw was broken when a patient attacked her in an ambulance.
If you find yourself at a scene where someone needs emergency healthcare, here is what you can do to help provide a safe environment for our ambos to work.
Safety is our number one priority
We have worked hard in the past couple of years to ensure that safety is the number one priority for everyone at Ambulance Victoria.
Our paramedics and first responders have undertaken virtual reality training to help prevent occupational violence.
The training was made possible by a $900,000 State Government grant and equips paramedics with the behavioural and tactical skills to reduce exposure to occupational violence.
Under the program, participants watch lifelike scenarios featuring scenes where paramedics are exposed to a variety of occupational violence hazards, with actors playing patients and bystanders.
It’s never OK campaign
The WorkSafe It’s never OK campaign highlights that aggression and abuse towards healthcare workers, including paramedics, is unacceptable. Violence and aggression is a serious issue across our health sector, with 95% of healthcare workers having experienced violence on the job.