Abuse you can't ignore

Paramedic Tammy Edwards paints an uncomfortable picture as she shares her experience of being abused at work.

She feels the regular abuse she receives from some patients is part of the job. However, there was one experience five years ago that almost made her give up the job she loves.

While working as a solo responder, she was called to a male patient whose mother had expressed concerns about his health. During the examination, the patient became agitated and angry and started to assault his mum. As Tammy tried to drag her to safety he started punching and kicking her, until she managed to escape from the house.

“I didn’t suffer much physical harm just a few bruises, but the emotional impact was huge”, Tammy tells us, “I lost all my confidence, I started to think what if one day I am not able to come home to my children. The next day I handed in my notice.

“However local management was very supportive. After a three-hour meeting, it was decided I would no longer work as a solo responder, and I was placed with a crew mate on an ambulance. I also started to see a psychotherapist, helping me deal with the trauma.”

We supported Tammy in bringing a prosecution against her attacker, although he only admitted responsibility on the day of his trial. Unfortunately, this isn’t the only example of abuse on the job.

“I’ve also had a knife pulled on me at the front door,” Tammy says, “but most of it is quite low-level driven by drink, drugs or mental health issues. It’s a patient swearing or calling you names. It shouldn’t be that way.

“I’ve just got used to it and I ignore it. You build up that much of a tolerance to it, recently, I only realised a patient threatened to kill me when my colleague pointed out their behaviour in an effort to make them realise how unacceptable it was.

“Having said that, I’ve just been through a period where it feels constant and that does get me down.”

Earlier this year the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives launched a campaign to highlight the violence and abuse ambulance service staff receive every day with the hope they can work without fear.

More information is available at aace.org.uk/vaa or search #WorkWithoutFear on Twitter.