South Wales Echo - 14th April 2009

Paramedics Need More Protection

CALLS have been made for ambulance crews to be given stab vests after statistics revealed the alarming scale of attacks on staff.

Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show more than 500 incidents of violence and verbal abuse have been recorded in Wales since 2006.

The Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel (APAP) has been campaigning for 12 years for protective equipment such as stab vests to be part of standard equipment.

Jonathan Fox, APAP spokesman, said: “Stab Vests would protect against kicking and punching, which crews face on a daily basis.

“Paramedics are being exposed to high risk situations in the same way that police officers are.

“Their lack of protection is undermining the effectiveness of the ambulance service.”