Middleton places ‘deeply disturbing’ assault on Derry paramedic in context of 72,000 attacks on health workers
An attack on a female paramedic in Derry has been described as ‘deeply disturbing’ by DUP MLA Julie Middleton who noted the staggering level of assaults on health care workers across the North.
“It is terrible to learn that a female paramedic was viciously assaulted while carrying out her duties at Altnagelvin Hospital this past weekend.
"I have been deeply disturbed to learn of the extent of the injuries sustained by this paramedic and my thoughts and prayers are very much with her, her colleagues and her family as she recovers from this traumatising attack,” she told MLAs on Monday.
The local medical professional reportedly suffered injuries to her head, neck, face and hands when she was assaulted at approximately 5.45 pm on Saturday.
The PSNI in Derry have confirmed that a person was arrested in connection with the assault. They have since been de-arrested and police enquiries are ongoing.
Speaking at Stormont on Monday Mrs. Middleton placed the incident in the context of tens of thousands of assaults on staff across the North.
“Sadly, this latest attack is not a new or first time occurrence with more than 72,000 physical and verbal attacks being carried out on health and social care staff in NI in the last five years.
"It goes without saying that this figure is completely and utterly deplorable and frankly it is disgusting to note. We must also be mindful that this number is not just a statistic. Each number represents a real person. Our health care workers dedicate their lives to looking after each and every one of us,” she said.
The DUP MLA spoke of her own family’s experience of the health care system and how she and her family have ‘always been cared for with the greatest compassion and care’.
She said that health service workers should ‘never have to fear for their own physical or emotional safety, simply because they are doing their job’.
"There is absolutely no justification for attacking, abusing or threatening or intimidating anyone, least of all our health care workers. It is completely unacceptable and it must never, ever be dismissed as part of their job,” Mrs. Middleton insisted.