Mid Canterbury ambulance crews are among those nationwide enduring more assaults while responding to medical callouts. It’s a growing issue nationwide and one which is under review through the Protection for First Responders and Prison Officers Bill. St John Mid Canterbury acting territory manager James Watkins said any abuse or assaults against ambulance officers were unacceptable and would not be tolerated. While figures for Mid Canterbury crews were not available, he said each month there were around 200 incidents of assault or abuse on our ambulance officers nationwide. "Attacks inside our ambulance stations are unusual and abuse or assaults generally occur at an incident in the field."

Source: Otago Daily Times February 10, 2020 06:00 UTC