Alcohol Fueling Ambulance Staff Abuse

Two-thirds of ambulance staff have been physically assaulted by drunk patients.

That's according to paramedics in Scotland, who're warning Fifers to watch their alcohol consumption this christmas.

Nearly a fifth of callouts dealt with by the Scottish Ambulance Service on weekdays involve booze, rising to around half at the weekend.

Pauline Howie, Chief Executive, Scottish Ambulance Service, said:

"Alcohol has a significant impact on ambulance operations across all of Scotland. It is no longer a weekend phenomenon as crews have to respond to alcohol related calls every day of the week, taking resources away from those who need us most.

"The survey reveals the burden that alcohol puts on ambulance staff across the country. They are highly trained emergency clinicians and are frustrated that so much of their time is spent dealing with patients who are simply intoxicated. On top of that they have to deal with the violence and aggression that goes so often with alcohol misuse.

"Our frontline staff should not have to fear for their own safety when treating patients, yet alcohol is all too often the key factor in assaults. Staff respond to patients in all weathers and situations and deserve the public’s respect for the high quality care that they provide.  Assaults or threatening behaviour are reported to the police and staff have access to support and counselling services.

"There is also a wide impact on our operations as precious resources have to be taken off the road to be cleaned after an intoxicated patient has been sick, which takes time and removes an ambulance that could available to respond to a medical emergency.

"As festive parties get into full flow this week we would ask people to drink responsibly and avoid becoming an additional patient for the NHS to treat."