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05/02/2002
Ambulance staff seek immediate action to stop attacks
Ambulance staff in Northern Ireland have said industrial action is a distinct possibility if attacks on drivers and crew persist.
The threat of a strike comes following an attack on an ambulance driver who was taking a seriously ill pensioner to hospital via the Crumlin Road on Monday night. A brick hit the windscreen, smashing it and the woman driver had to fight to keep the vehicle on the road.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service met union officials on Tuesday morning and met management of the Joint Consultative National Committee in the afternoon.
Unison branch Commander of the NI Ambulance Service Paddy Milligan said some form of industrial action would be seriously considered. He said: "Personally I believe there is an onus of the Minister for Health to respond to our call. I believe the way forward is for Minister to finance us directly instead of getting direction from the four boards. The Assembly must back us and something positive must be done."
Mr Milligan said there had been talk of an Ambulance going around to schools as part of an educational process. However he said: "To be honest we can't spare an ambulance as we are so pushed. We are even finding it difficult to cover night shifts if someone is sick."
Last month ambulance crew from across the province met in Derry to discuss the increasing attacks on paramedics. At that meeting trade union officials said staff wanted meetings with Stormont Health Minister Bairbre de Brún to discuss the continuing attacks and the Police Service Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan to discuss a zero tolerance approach to people who attack health service workers.
However to date, according to Mr Milligan both the minister and chief constable have failed to respond.
Over the past year attacks on paramedics have doubled with ambulance staff becoming increasingly concerned about attacks on such this essential and often lifesaving service. (AMcE)
The threat of a strike comes following an attack on an ambulance driver who was taking a seriously ill pensioner to hospital via the Crumlin Road on Monday night. A brick hit the windscreen, smashing it and the woman driver had to fight to keep the vehicle on the road.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service met union officials on Tuesday morning and met management of the Joint Consultative National Committee in the afternoon.
Unison branch Commander of the NI Ambulance Service Paddy Milligan said some form of industrial action would be seriously considered. He said: "Personally I believe there is an onus of the Minister for Health to respond to our call. I believe the way forward is for Minister to finance us directly instead of getting direction from the four boards. The Assembly must back us and something positive must be done."
Mr Milligan said there had been talk of an Ambulance going around to schools as part of an educational process. However he said: "To be honest we can't spare an ambulance as we are so pushed. We are even finding it difficult to cover night shifts if someone is sick."
Last month ambulance crew from across the province met in Derry to discuss the increasing attacks on paramedics. At that meeting trade union officials said staff wanted meetings with Stormont Health Minister Bairbre de Brún to discuss the continuing attacks and the Police Service Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan to discuss a zero tolerance approach to people who attack health service workers.
However to date, according to Mr Milligan both the minister and chief constable have failed to respond.
Over the past year attacks on paramedics have doubled with ambulance staff becoming increasingly concerned about attacks on such this essential and often lifesaving service. (AMcE)
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06 February 2017
Ambulance Crews Come Under Attack In Lurgan
Ambulance crews have come under attack in Lurgan . A man smashed the windscreen of an ambulance with an oxygen cylinder that he stole from the vehicle while the staff were treating a man who had been stabbed at around midnight on Friday, 03 February. The ambulance is now unavailable to use until it is repaired next week.
Ambulance Crews Come Under Attack In Lurgan
Ambulance crews have come under attack in Lurgan . A man smashed the windscreen of an ambulance with an oxygen cylinder that he stole from the vehicle while the staff were treating a man who had been stabbed at around midnight on Friday, 03 February. The ambulance is now unavailable to use until it is repaired next week.
08 January 2002
Ambulance workers defer strike action for two months
Northern Ireland ambulance workers have taken a vote to defer strike action for two months as a result of growing attacks on paramedics. Ambulance crew from all over the province met in Londonderry on Tuesday January 8 to discuss attacks on staff, the most of recent of which injured two ambulance crew at the weekend.
Ambulance workers defer strike action for two months
Northern Ireland ambulance workers have taken a vote to defer strike action for two months as a result of growing attacks on paramedics. Ambulance crew from all over the province met in Londonderry on Tuesday January 8 to discuss attacks on staff, the most of recent of which injured two ambulance crew at the weekend.
19 July 2019
NI Ambulance Service Recruiting Helicopter Paramedics
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service is recruiting for new helicopter paramedics to be based at the Air Ambulance base at Maze Long Kesh in Lisburn and Emergency Ambulance Control at NIAS HQ in Belfast. Successful candidates will join the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) team which is made up of 15 doctors and seven paramedics.
NI Ambulance Service Recruiting Helicopter Paramedics
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service is recruiting for new helicopter paramedics to be based at the Air Ambulance base at Maze Long Kesh in Lisburn and Emergency Ambulance Control at NIAS HQ in Belfast. Successful candidates will join the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) team which is made up of 15 doctors and seven paramedics.
01 April 2008
Ambulance Crew Involved In M1 Crash
An ambulance crew has been involved in a crash in Belfast as they were attempting to resuscitate a young baby on the M1 motorway. The crew had been flagged down on Kennedy Way to help an infant who had stopped breathing, when a lorry collided with the ambulance at 11am today. The lorry was approaching the Broadway roundabout.
Ambulance Crew Involved In M1 Crash
An ambulance crew has been involved in a crash in Belfast as they were attempting to resuscitate a young baby on the M1 motorway. The crew had been flagged down on Kennedy Way to help an infant who had stopped breathing, when a lorry collided with the ambulance at 11am today. The lorry was approaching the Broadway roundabout.
02 May 2002
Minister meets with health service staff to discuss attacks
The Stormont Health Minister Bairbre de Brún has met with a group of union officials and health service workers to hear at first hand the problems they are facing due to unprovoked attacks.
Minister meets with health service staff to discuss attacks
The Stormont Health Minister Bairbre de Brún has met with a group of union officials and health service workers to hear at first hand the problems they are facing due to unprovoked attacks.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
