Cornish nurse calls for more respect for frontline and emergency workers
It comes as tougher sentences for assaults on emergency workers are brought in
A community nurse from Cornwall is calling for more respect for emergency and frontline workers.
Anyone who attacks an emergency worker will face up to two years in jail under a new law.
Ministers plan to bring forward legislation to double the maximum sentence for those convicted of assaulting frontline staff including police officers, firefighters and paramedics.
It is the second change in two years after a 2018 law increased the maximum sentence from six months to a year.
Kim Mcveigh is a community and staff nurse from Liskeard, and works in the Callington area.
She told Pirate facing abuse or rudeness at work can take its toll.
"It has been quite a tough year so far, we have not been assaulted so much, but rudeness, demanding, there is just not a lot respect in general for nurses out there. You always get one or two who are rude to you.
"But when people are being rude to you, or attacking you in any way, it does make you think 'why am I still doing the job?'
"I mean morale is quite low anyway, and I know a lot of nurses are thinking about not doing the job anymore, which is really sad."
Kim Mcveigh, nurse in Cornwall
The new law change comes after it was revealed more than 1,600 violent attacks on ambulance workers were recorded between January and July - including a rise in sexual assaults - as the UK battled the coronavirus outbreak.
At least 149 sexual assaults on ambulance workers have taken place so far this year, as well as a rise in vandal attacks on ambulances and more than 2,000 verbal abuse incidents against crews, according to data released under the Freedom of Information Act.
Assaults cover acts including being pushed, shoved or spat at, but prosecutions can take place under more serious offences when an emergency worker is seriously injured.
The new law will apply to police, prison staff, custody officers, fire service personnel, search and rescue workers and frontline health workers.
It comes after a paramedic from north Cornwall shared a powerful video message after she was spat at by a patient, while on duty during the coronavirus lockdown.
Tracy Higginbottom was taking the young woman to hospital in an ambulance during a night shift when it happened back in July.
Cornish paramedic spat at by patient during coronavirus lockdown
She is one of more than 100 South Western Ambulance Service staff members who have been physically assaulted while on duty by members of the public since lockdown was imposed.
Tracy, who has been a paramedic for more than 20 years, said the “nightmare” experience left her feeling “contaminated, broken and defeated”. She took a month off work to recover.
She recorded a video soon after the incident in July in which she described the episode and the impact it was having on her.
You can watch her video message below...
“Violence and aggression appear to be escalating, and is something we have to deal with as a part of our job. But I’ve never experienced anything quite like this.
“The patient had taken drugs and consumed alcohol in the community. She was out of control and vulnerable. We have a duty of care, and I was genuinely concerned for her welfare. So I decided she needed to go to hospital, even though it was an hour and a quarter away.
“It really kicked-off in the ambulance. She was swearing, kicking and spitting everywhere. It took two of us to hold the patient down to prevent her coming to harm and to prevent her damaging the ambulance.
“Afterwards I felt very distressed and traumatised. So I took some time out, because you need to be in the right frame of mind in my role.
“Now I’m back at work with support. I was so determined not to allow this horrible experience stop me doing the job I love and from being a part of my wonderful green family.”
Tracy Higginbottom, paramedic in Cornwall