Attacking the Emergency Services

[BenF]

In the news today is that the Fire Service are the latest emergency service to release their figures about being attacked by the locals with a high index of scum-baggery.

It happens to the police, the ambulance services, A&E doctors and nurses on a regular basis.

These people get shouted at, spat at, punched, kicked and threatened on a regular basis - all by the people that they are trying to help.

And yet, AND YET, these bastards who attack us still are allowed treatment.

If a person called me all the names under the sun, spat at me and punched me - he would promptly and enthusiastically be thrown out of my A&E...he could even shit on the doorstep of the hospital if he wanted. All he would need to do is complain of "chest pain" and he would be allowed back in again. Naturally, should a member of staff throw a punch back, he would be given "gardening leave" pending investigation.

And so, I want a complete ZERO TOLERANCE on anybody who attacks any members of hospital, police, fire etc. crews. One strike and you're out - for good.

We aren't paid enough to deal with this sort of shit.

 

[gabriel1]

Why the hell would someone who is trying to help another, be attacked etc.? I agree - you need ZERO TOLERANCE of this.

 

[gsdx]

I couldn't read the news report at the moment. The website wouldn't open for me. However, unless the services are somewhere they shouldn't be doing things they shouldn't be doing, they should be left alone to do the job for which they're paid. I heartily agree with 'zero tolerance' on this.

It happens to the police, the ambulance services, A&E doctors and nurses on a regular basis.

What are 'A&E' doctors? (I'm guessing 'E' pertains to 'Emergency'.)

 

[BenF]

What are 'A&E' doctors? (I'm guessing 'E' pertains to 'Emergency'.)

Accident and Emergency.

It is what is known elsewhere as Emergency Department/Emergency Room/Casualty.

 

[RationalLunacy]

Try working where I work, Ben. (An alcohol/drug rehab.) Have you ever had an addict spit/verbally abuse/scream/throw things whilst coming down off a high and yet expect treatment? I have. Frequently.

 

[gsdx]

Accident and Emergency.

It is what is known elsewhere as Emergency Department/Emergency Room/Casualty.

Are you saying doctors and nurses are being attacked in hospitals? It's bad enough that ambulance workers might be attacked on site, but in hospital!??

They should all go on strike for a few hours and let the people see what it would be like without them.

 

[BenF]

Have you ever had an addict spit/verbally abuse/scream/throw things whilst coming down off a high and yet expect treatment?

Actually, yes.

Last night.

32 year old male.

GCS of 5. Resp rate of 6. Pinpoint pupils.

OD of heroin.

Gave him 1.2g of Naloxone.

Woke him up. Saved his stinking life.

He kicked off (as described above) because we had wasted his perfectly good batch of smack. Asked for Diazepam to get him "through"

Discharged into the care of the local constabulary after the obligatory observation period (to make it Coroner proof).

Tosser.

 

[RationalLunacy]

Many's the story similar to yours, Ben. Many. Too many. As my father used to say "No good deed goes unpunished."

Tossers indeed!

 

[jackoroe]

In the news today is that the Fire Service are the latest emergency service to release their figures about being attacked by the locals with a high index of scum-baggery.

It happens to the police, the ambulance services, A&E doctors and nurses on a regular basis.

These people get shouted at, spat at, punched, kicked and threatened on a regular basis - all by the people that they are trying to help.

And yet, AND YET, these bastards who attack us still are allowed treatment.

If a person called me all the names under the sun, spat at me and punched me - he would promptly and enthusiastically be thrown out of my A&E...he could even shit on the doorstep of the hospital if he wanted. All he would need to do is complain of "chest pain" and he would be allowed back in again. Naturally, should a member of staff throw a punch back, he would be given "gardening leave" pending investigation.

And so, I want a complete ZERO TOLERANCE on anybody who attacks any members of hospital, police, fire etc. crews. One strike and you're out - for good.

We aren't paid enough to deal with this sort of shit.

In the States, we have enhanced penalties for those who assault our emergency personnel in the performance of their official duties. We call it aggravated assault instead of simple assault. The message is the government doesn't want to touching these good folks.

 

[kallipolis]

Any of my patients daring to offer signs of violent or disrespectful intent, are immediately rewarded with a mind numbing display of my skills in Wing Chun.

I deliberately refrain from making contain with the body of the would be hooligan, preferring to allow my ability to transfer energy onto their person to make my painful point felt.

Predictably the would be ungrateful beast becomes placid, and highly cooperative.

I appreciate that this form of pre-emptive action would not be tolerated in the UK or the US. Here in uncivilised Greece we are quite content to maintain law and order according to well established practices, introduced into fashion by Alexander the Great.

 

[Eagle653]

l

It happens to the police, the ambulance services, A&E doctors and nurses on a regular basis.

These people get shouted at, spat at, punched, kicked and threatened on a regular basis - all by the people that they are trying to help.

That's awful.

Perhaps you should relocate to York (this, from another thread):

The UK isn't an armed society, and we're a darn sight more polite than anywhere in the USA. Go figure.

Hmmmm.

 

[BenF]

like gareth said, this sort of thing has happened for ages, so why they've only decided to put it in the news now is beyond me. nothing will be done about it.

Well the Government are denying the data from the Fire Brigade Union, the Police Federation, the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the British Medical Association.

The Government's View

Note the telescope position and the eye patch....​

Sorry AverageGuy, it will be a long time before I consider leaving the NHS to join the US Health"care" market.

 

[BenF]

Ben? Who are these attackers usually?

From my point of view, druggies or drunks.

 

[Absolut]

He kicked off (as described above) because we had wasted his perfectly good batch of smack. Asked for Diazepam to get him "through"

What a toolshed. Only a drug addict would get mad at a doctor for ruining their high.

And, 6 as a respiratory rate? Isn't it normally 2 to 3 times that?

 

[BenF]

And, 6 as a respiratory rate? Isn't it normally 2 to 3 times that?

Yes...we usually like to see it between 12 and 18 in somebody of his size.

 

[Golliwog]

Humane treatment is obviously wasted on people who show such contempt to the helpers.

Thank you, good folk who provide emergency health services. You are winners!

 

[evil_danger]

I know it doesn't even compair at all to what you have been through, but working behind the bar the abuse I got from customers.

I could just think 'Do you want me to spit in your drink?'

Basically people bite the hand that feeds. Selfish bastards that think your doing a job, its your problem to deal with the awkward people.

Pathetic thing is these people who abuse health care profesionals are usually the first people to complain when they get "chest pains" or something simple.

I have the most respect for our doctors, nurses and everyone involved in making people better. Its something thats taken for granted, yet something we couldn't do without.

 

[levenshulme31]

I'd like to see ambulance crews being allowed to defibrilate one or two of the little fuckers, or the firemen watercannon them.

 

[evil_danger]

I was in a hospital waiting room, waiting for my cousin and her boyfriend to leave the ward with their beautiful baby boy.

I saw a poster saying something along the lines of "if your reported as violent towards hospital staff or other patents you will be registered and possibly denied treatment from any NHS trust facility"

Well it was words to that effect anyway, I might have miss understood but I'm sure thats what it basically said.

Is that more of an empty threat?

 

[BenF]

I was in a hospital waiting room, waiting for my cousin and her boyfriend to leave the ward with their beautiful baby boy.

I saw a poster saying something along the lines of "if your reported as violent towards hospital staff or other patents you will be registered and possibly denied treatment from any NHS trust facility"

Well it was words to that effect anyway, I might have miss understood but I'm sure thats what it basically said.

Is that more of an empty threat?

Example....

Local scumbag, 32, severely beat a female nurse 18 months ago breaking her nose, right cheekbone and jaw. He was arrested and charged. He got 6 months in jail.

An ASBO (anti-social behaviour order) was made and he was banned from stepping foot in my hospital. The police and ambulance crew are aware of this court order.

Last night/this morning, he decided that his life was not worth living (for once, he is quite right) and decided to take an overdose of paracetamol (12 tablets for fucks sake, he might as well do it properly if he's going to do it at all).

He came to my hospital as all of the other hospitals in the region were full due to a chronic lack of beds anywhere in Wales.

We had to accept him and treat him. We are expected to treat him as we would any other member of public.

So yes, in answer to your question, it is an empty threat.

It's quite odd, I don't know why it took me seven or eight attempts to get venous access (an IV) into the lousy bastard....honestly guv....