After the dramatic intervention and death of a paramedic in Siedlce, the Polish Trade Union of Paramedics is writing a letter to the government, demanding that the growing problem of aggression against paramedics be counteracted. Points out problems and proposes solutions.
On Saturday after An 18, 57-year-old man called an ambulance and was treated attacked two rescuers with knives. One of them, a 64-year-old man, was stabbed in the chest and died after being taken to hospital. The second rescuer was injured in the wrist. The perpetrator, who had more than two per mille of alcohol in his blood, was taken to hospital, where he is being guarded by police officers.
The problem of aggression against paramedics is growing
After the attack on the paramedic, the Polish Trade Union of Paramedics (OZZRM) wrote in a letter to the Minister of Health Izabela Leszczyna and the Minister of Justice Adam Bodnar to take immediate action to counteract aggression against paramedics.
“(…) We appeal and demand immediate and decisive action to counteract the growing problem of aggression against paramedics,” they wrote. The letter emphasized that rescuers are experiencing “increasing cases of physical and verbal attacks on medical personnel who provide help in situations that threaten life and health.”
Sent and waiting for a reply and reaction. Izabela Leszczyna Adam Bodnar Ministry of Health Janusz CieszyÅ„ski…
Posted by National Trade Union of Paramedics he Saturday, January 25, 2025
The OZZRM pointed out that there are no precise statistics on the number of attacks on paramedics, which makes it difficult to reliably assess the scale of the problem. However, he pointed out that available data indicate a growing number of aggressive behaviors towards medical staff.
OZZRM: the causes of aggression are alcohol and psychoactive substances
According to OZZRM, the causes of aggression are alcohol and psychoactive substances, as well as frustration and stress of patients and their relatives, as well as lack of understanding of medical procedures and decisions made by rescuers. Rescuers also pointed to public awareness of the role and importance of emergency medical services.
In the letter, the OZZRM proposed tightening penalties for assaulting paramedics, introducing effective legal protection mechanisms for medical personnel, introducing video monitoring during interventions in the form of body-worn cameras of EMS personnel, and increasing expenditure on education and social campaigns promoting respect for paramedics.
Paramedics also want training for paramedics in dealing with aggression and provision of psychological support for victims of aggression and psychological support for paramedics at work. They also propose the creation of a special fund to cover the costs of treatment and rehabilitation of rescuers injured as a result of the attack.
The Ministry of Health knows that changes are needed
In response to the event, the Minister of Health, Izabela Leszczyna, alerted the need for legislative changes. “It was with great pain that I received the news of the death of our colleague – a paramedic, attacked by a patient to whom he was providing medical assistance. I express my condolences to the family and loved ones as well as the entire community of paramedics, because we are all in mourning today. This crime must be a wake-up call for us and initiate the necessary legislative changes to ensure the safety of rescuers,” she said in an entry on the X platform.
On Sunday, the Provincial Ambulance Station “Meditrans” in Warsaw responded to the attack. “We are shocked, outraged and furious after the brutal attack on a paramedic from our sister waiting station, especially since we ourselves struggle with attacks and beatings by paramedics. We do not consent to nurses, paramedics and paramedics doctors and doctors providing aid were exposed to such danger. We cannot and will not tolerate violence against those who save our lives,” the rescuers wrote.
“Meditrans” expressed its deepest sympathy and condolences to the family, relatives and colleagues from SPZOZ “RM-Meditrans” SPRiS in Siedlce, where the deceased rescuer worked.
Author: mg/brightness
Source: PAP
Main photo source: Aga Król/Tygodnik Siedlecki