Attack in Siedlce. The paramedic died
Source: TVN24
After the emergency intervention and the death of a paramedic in Siedlce, the trade union of Polish paramedics wrote a letter to the government, demanding to fight the growing problem of violence against paramedics. Identifies problems and suggests solutions.
On Saturday, after an 18-year-old man, 57, called an ambulance and attacked two rescuers with a knife while trying to help. One of them, a 64-year-old man, was wounded in the chest and died after being taken to the hospital. The second rescuer was wounded in the hand. The criminal, who had more than two ppm of alcohol in his blood, was taken to the hospital, where he is being guarded by police officers.
The problem of violence against paramedics is increasing
After the attack on the paramedic, the Polish Paramedic Workers’ Union (OZZRM) wrote in a letter to the Minister of Health, Izabela Leshchyna, and the Minister of Justice, Adam Bodnar, that they should immediately take measures against the attack on the paramedics.
“(…) We appeal and demand that immediate and decisive measures be taken to combat the growing problem of violence against paramedics,” they wrote. The letter emphasized that rescuers are experiencing “increasing incidents of physical and verbal attacks on medical personnel who are assisting in life-threatening situations.”
Sent and waiting for response and response. Izabela Leszczyna Adam Bodnar Ministry of Health Janusz Siszynski…
Posted by National Union of Paramedics on Saturday, January 25, 2025
OZZRM noted that there are no accurate statistics on the number of attacks on paramedics, which makes it difficult to reliably assess the scale of the problem. However, he noted that the available data shows an increasing number of aggressive behaviors towards health workers.
OZZRM: causes of violence are alcohol and psychoactive substances
According to OZZRM, the causes of abuse are alcoholic beverages and psychoactive substances, as well as depression and stress of patients and their relatives, as well as misunderstanding of medical procedures and decisions of rescuers. Rescuers also pointed to public awareness of the role and importance of emergency medical services.
In the letter, OZZRM proposed punishment for attacks on paramedics, the introduction of effective mechanisms for the legal protection of medical workers, the introduction of video monitoring during interventions in the form of body cameras of EMS workers, and an increase in spending on training and social campaigns that respect paramedics.
Paramedics also want training for paramedics in dealing with abuse and providing psychological support to victims of abuse and psychological support for paramedics in the workplace. They also propose to create a special fund to cover the costs of treatment and rehabilitation of rescuers injured in the attack.
The Ministry of Health knows that change is needed
In response to this incident, the Minister of Health, Isabelle Leshchina, warned of the need to amend the law. “I received with great pain the news of the death of our colleague – a paramedic who was attacked by a patient who was providing medical assistance to him. I express my condolences to the family and relatives and the entire medical community, because today we are all mourning this crime. should be a wake-up call for us to initiate the necessary legislative changes to ensure the safety of lifeguards,” he said in an entry on the X platform.
On Sunday, the “Meditrans” regional ambulance station in Warsaw responded to the attack. “We are shocked, angry and outraged after the brutal attack on a paramedic at the waiting station of our sister, especially since we ourselves are fighting attacks and beatings of paramedics. We do not agree that nurses, paramedics and doctors and doctors, who provide help, to be exposed to such a danger, we cannot and will not do violence to those whose lives they will save us, let it be tolerated.”
“Meditrans” expressed sympathy and condolences to the family, relatives and colleagues of SPZOZ “RM-Meditrans” SPRiS in Siedlce, where the deceased rescuer worked.
Author/Author: mg /jas
Source: PAP
Main photo credit: Aga Krol/Tygodnik Siedlecki
