A sustained assault on a Derry paramedic has been met with shock and anger with local politicians demanding zero tolerance for attacks on front line health care workers.

The medical professional reportedly suffered injuries to her head, neck, face and hands when she was assaulted at approximately 5.45 pm on Saturday.

SDLP MLA Sinéad McLaughlin MLA said: "I am absolutely appalled by this vicious attack on a woman I know personally and have great respect for. To hear that she has suffered such serious injuries while doing her job is deeply upsetting, and my thoughts are with her and those closest to her."

Mrs. McLaughlin said the paramedic had gone on shift on Saturday to care for people in the community but instead found herself the victim of a brutal assault.

"It is disgraceful that someone who has devoted her working life to looking after others should be subjected to such violence,” said the SDLP MLA.

Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson said: "Reports of this attack are deeply disturbing.

“Health service workers go above and beyond to save lives and keep people safe, often working in very challenging circumstances.

"There must be zero tolerance of attacks or abuse directed against health and social care workers.

"They, and all workers, should never have to face abuse, attack, intimidation or threats in the workplace."

UUP Alderman Darren Guy said: "The attack on the female paramedic over the weekend was absolutely disgusting. A woman who has given 37 years of service to the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service should never have had to face such an attack from a patient that she was assisting at the time."

The UUP councillor said his thoughts were with her and a colleague who was caught up in the same incident.

"Our paramedics deal with some horrendous scenes when carrying out their role; they should never have to deal with a directed attack like this one," he said.

NIAS Chief Executive Jenny Keane said: "This was a sustained assault on a paramedic who has a career of over 37 years, caring for her local community.

"Although her physical injuries, of which there are many, may heal over the coming days and weeks, I would be concerned at the psychological and emotional impact this may have on her and others involved,” she said.