1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:04,400 Speaker 1: Moving along and talking about something pretty terrible that's happened 2 00:00:04,440 --> 00:00:07,760 Speaker 1: actually in the last forty eight hours. Northern Territory Police 3 00:00:07,760 --> 00:00:11,440 Speaker 1: have now charged a youth in relation to indecent acts 4 00:00:12,000 --> 00:00:15,120 Speaker 1: in Nakara earlier in the week. Now, at about ten 5 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:19,520 Speaker 1: pm on Tuesday night, I believe two female paramedics were 6 00:00:19,520 --> 00:00:22,200 Speaker 1: called to assist a fourteen year old male youth on 7 00:00:22,239 --> 00:00:25,599 Speaker 1: a street in Nakara. Now, while being conveyed in the 8 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:29,360 Speaker 1: back of that ambulance, the youths all are well, allegedly 9 00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:35,200 Speaker 1: indecently assaulted the paramedics before spitting in the vehicle. Now 10 00:00:35,280 --> 00:00:37,480 Speaker 1: joining me on the line to tell us a little 11 00:00:37,479 --> 00:00:40,520 Speaker 1: bit more about this situation and how things are going 12 00:00:40,560 --> 00:00:45,080 Speaker 1: for our paramedics. Saint John Ambulance Director of Ambulance Services, 13 00:00:45,200 --> 00:00:47,320 Speaker 1: Andrew Thomas, Good morning to you, Andrew. 14 00:00:48,159 --> 00:00:49,840 Speaker 2: Oh, good morning Katie mate. 15 00:00:49,840 --> 00:00:52,920 Speaker 3: What happened in this instance a bit earlier in the week. 16 00:00:54,120 --> 00:00:58,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, Look, you know, unfortunately another instance where you know, 17 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:03,840 Speaker 2: our staff are out trying to look after community and 18 00:01:04,480 --> 00:01:07,480 Speaker 2: in this sort of you know, deplorable act, We've got 19 00:01:07,520 --> 00:01:10,400 Speaker 2: somebody that feels that it's inappropriate, it's okay to be 20 00:01:10,480 --> 00:01:15,400 Speaker 2: inappropriate to our staff and that include making you know, 21 00:01:15,840 --> 00:01:23,640 Speaker 2: inappropriate advances and then inappropriate uh contact and physical contact 22 00:01:23,680 --> 00:01:27,120 Speaker 2: without with two female paramedics. And it's and it's not 23 00:01:27,160 --> 00:01:31,360 Speaker 2: okay in any level of society at all. And then 24 00:01:31,480 --> 00:01:35,160 Speaker 2: you know, particularly then for our paramedics that are doing 25 00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:37,880 Speaker 2: this job and whatever else. And you know, our our 26 00:01:38,120 --> 00:01:41,400 Speaker 2: our staff are out there looking after vulnerable people. And 27 00:01:42,000 --> 00:01:45,040 Speaker 2: you know, particularly for our female officers when they're being 28 00:01:45,760 --> 00:01:50,440 Speaker 2: approached or being having these acts undertaken or done to them, 29 00:01:50,560 --> 00:01:51,920 Speaker 2: it makes them feel vulnerable. 30 00:01:52,560 --> 00:01:53,840 Speaker 3: It's absolutely terrible. 31 00:01:54,120 --> 00:01:56,040 Speaker 1: You know, you're in your workplace and having to worry 32 00:01:56,040 --> 00:01:58,800 Speaker 1: about being indecently assaulted in your workplace. 33 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:00,480 Speaker 3: And what I would imagine is quite. 34 00:02:00,280 --> 00:02:05,320 Speaker 1: A small area as well inside one of those vehicles. 35 00:02:06,280 --> 00:02:08,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, look, you know once you know, obviously we put 36 00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:10,639 Speaker 2: people in the back of the vehicles and we sit 37 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:13,040 Speaker 2: in very close proximity to those people so we can 38 00:02:13,120 --> 00:02:16,480 Speaker 2: undertake the care and reassure them and provide all of 39 00:02:16,480 --> 00:02:19,080 Speaker 2: the life saving treatment that needs to occur in those vehicles. 40 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:22,280 Speaker 2: And unfortunately, when you know the situations turn it, you know, 41 00:02:22,560 --> 00:02:26,120 Speaker 2: it's a very close environment where our paramedics are and 42 00:02:26,480 --> 00:02:29,120 Speaker 2: obviously it puts them in within a close range and 43 00:02:29,400 --> 00:02:30,960 Speaker 2: you know, as I said, while that's there for most 44 00:02:31,000 --> 00:02:33,280 Speaker 2: of the time providing care, it does put them in 45 00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:36,240 Speaker 2: that sort of situation. So you know, we try to 46 00:02:36,280 --> 00:02:38,799 Speaker 2: look at how we can support the stuff, and you 47 00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:42,079 Speaker 2: put that sort of training to recognize bits and about 48 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:46,160 Speaker 2: what goes on. But you know, obviously it's it's disappointing again. 49 00:02:46,200 --> 00:02:49,959 Speaker 2: And then you know, obviously the crews reported this and 50 00:02:50,760 --> 00:02:53,600 Speaker 2: nt Police responded very quickly up to the hospital to 51 00:02:53,639 --> 00:02:58,880 Speaker 2: support our crews, and you know, the use has been charged. 52 00:02:58,919 --> 00:03:02,000 Speaker 2: But also as he was being taken out of the 53 00:03:02,680 --> 00:03:06,200 Speaker 2: hospital environment after causing a disturbance there and further sort 54 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:08,519 Speaker 2: of acts of spinning, he's then kicked one of the 55 00:03:09,440 --> 00:03:11,480 Speaker 2: as was being carried out, kicked one of our vehicles, 56 00:03:11,560 --> 00:03:13,799 Speaker 2: cause damage and now that vehicle's also off the road. 57 00:03:13,880 --> 00:03:17,440 Speaker 2: So you know, a major sort of impact from the 58 00:03:17,440 --> 00:03:18,400 Speaker 2: acts of one person. 59 00:03:18,760 --> 00:03:21,200 Speaker 1: Well, this is the thing, right and look, I'm not 60 00:03:21,240 --> 00:03:23,800 Speaker 1: expecting you to get political, Andrew, but this is the 61 00:03:23,880 --> 00:03:27,800 Speaker 1: thing we have got. We have unfortunately got people, and 62 00:03:27,960 --> 00:03:31,160 Speaker 1: in some instances who are quite young, i mean fourteen 63 00:03:31,400 --> 00:03:36,160 Speaker 1: years of age behaving in this way. It's totally unacceptable 64 00:03:36,640 --> 00:03:39,760 Speaker 1: and you know, it's impacting people that are trying to 65 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:42,160 Speaker 1: go to work, but then to also have a vehicle 66 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:44,960 Speaker 1: taken off the road as a result of that person's 67 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:48,600 Speaker 1: behavior impacts others. 68 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:52,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, and you know, unfortunately, Katie, it seems to see 69 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:56,839 Speaker 2: I'm talking you all too often in and around these situations. 70 00:03:56,880 --> 00:04:00,680 Speaker 2: And you know, for you know, the staff at St. 71 00:04:00,720 --> 00:04:04,960 Speaker 2: John that you know are amazing people, doing amazing jobs 72 00:04:04,960 --> 00:04:07,600 Speaker 2: and looking out after the health and well being of 73 00:04:07,960 --> 00:04:11,880 Speaker 2: the community along with all the other frontline workers. You know, 74 00:04:12,000 --> 00:04:16,160 Speaker 2: it is just it's beyond words. It just keeps this 75 00:04:16,240 --> 00:04:18,919 Speaker 2: keeps happening, and it's frustrating. I know, it's having an 76 00:04:18,960 --> 00:04:22,440 Speaker 2: impact on our staff. It's having the impact on us 77 00:04:22,279 --> 00:04:25,960 Speaker 2: as an organization around how we can try and continue 78 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:28,359 Speaker 2: to liver services. And but you know, with a focus 79 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:30,440 Speaker 2: on our staff, and we may need to look at 80 00:04:30,440 --> 00:04:33,000 Speaker 2: how we how we manage this situation and what we 81 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:35,760 Speaker 2: need to do and what you know, what decisions we 82 00:04:35,800 --> 00:04:38,080 Speaker 2: may need to take around how we can further support 83 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:38,640 Speaker 2: our staff. 84 00:04:39,279 --> 00:04:42,440 Speaker 1: What kind of decisions could you potentially have to make 85 00:04:42,839 --> 00:04:45,360 Speaker 1: to keep your staff safe. I mean, I know over 86 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:49,320 Speaker 1: the years we've even spoken about at different times, you know, 87 00:04:49,440 --> 00:04:52,080 Speaker 1: in our springs, I recall quite a number of years 88 00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:54,880 Speaker 1: ago where the paramedics were having to look at potentially 89 00:04:54,960 --> 00:04:58,080 Speaker 1: not going to certain areas of the town because of 90 00:04:58,120 --> 00:05:00,400 Speaker 1: the dangers that they were facing when they went there. 91 00:05:01,880 --> 00:05:04,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, look, we're looking at a whole rafter things about 92 00:05:04,520 --> 00:05:07,960 Speaker 2: in terms of our their particular locations that we're going to, 93 00:05:08,080 --> 00:05:12,240 Speaker 2: where we're seeing you know, violence or aggression towards our staff. 94 00:05:12,320 --> 00:05:15,000 Speaker 2: And you know, in the game looking at do we 95 00:05:15,760 --> 00:05:21,040 Speaker 2: put restrictions on those locations or how do we actually 96 00:05:21,080 --> 00:05:23,360 Speaker 2: do And we keep reinforcing with our staff is that 97 00:05:23,440 --> 00:05:26,760 Speaker 2: if they feel unsafe, they have the right to refuse 98 00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:30,120 Speaker 2: to go in and provide treatment. So or if they 99 00:05:30,120 --> 00:05:33,680 Speaker 2: are in a situation and they're feeling vulnerable or at risk, 100 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:37,120 Speaker 2: absolutely I will back my staff one hundred percent if 101 00:05:37,160 --> 00:05:40,360 Speaker 2: they have to withdraw and withdraw that treatment because you know, 102 00:05:41,120 --> 00:05:43,600 Speaker 2: you know, the principles of first aid is a danger 103 00:05:43,640 --> 00:05:46,080 Speaker 2: to you first And we will continue to say that 104 00:05:46,160 --> 00:05:47,800 Speaker 2: we want our staff to be able to treat people. 105 00:05:47,839 --> 00:05:50,080 Speaker 2: We want our staff to be able to deliver the 106 00:05:50,120 --> 00:05:52,279 Speaker 2: life saving care that they can. But you know, we 107 00:05:52,400 --> 00:05:54,400 Speaker 2: have to prioritize our staff and make sure that you 108 00:05:54,440 --> 00:05:56,080 Speaker 2: know they're there for the next person. 109 00:05:55,760 --> 00:05:59,479 Speaker 1: And the next Yeah, absolutely, tell me, Andrew, how are 110 00:05:59,839 --> 00:06:01,120 Speaker 1: the those two women. 111 00:06:02,640 --> 00:06:06,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, look, we've we've followed up with them yesterday and 112 00:06:06,440 --> 00:06:08,679 Speaker 2: they're you know, they're on days off at the moment, 113 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:11,800 Speaker 2: and we'll continue to touch base with them to see 114 00:06:11,839 --> 00:06:14,839 Speaker 2: how they're going. And you know, I think it's you know, 115 00:06:15,839 --> 00:06:18,279 Speaker 2: you know great that obviously the police have come in 116 00:06:18,279 --> 00:06:20,560 Speaker 2: and done done the work, and that the person has 117 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:23,159 Speaker 2: been charged. And we hope that, you know, you know, 118 00:06:23,200 --> 00:06:26,920 Speaker 2: the due process occurs through the judicial system, you know, 119 00:06:27,040 --> 00:06:30,000 Speaker 2: and we need to look at find ways that, you know, 120 00:06:29,880 --> 00:06:32,240 Speaker 2: you know, if there is some ways to turn this around, 121 00:06:32,320 --> 00:06:35,800 Speaker 2: because unfortunately, you know, every morning I'm making up and 122 00:06:35,839 --> 00:06:39,240 Speaker 2: I'm seeing you know, in our in our logs, you know, 123 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:43,440 Speaker 2: circumstances where our staff are feeling at risk through some 124 00:06:43,480 --> 00:06:45,240 Speaker 2: of the behaviors or the threats or the or the 125 00:06:45,560 --> 00:06:47,000 Speaker 2: actions of some of the people. 126 00:06:48,080 --> 00:06:51,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, it is just it's absolutely terrible some of what 127 00:06:51,240 --> 00:06:53,920 Speaker 1: they are facing. Andrew, do you hope that these changes 128 00:06:53,960 --> 00:06:57,159 Speaker 1: that pass through Parliament yesterday in terms of you know, 129 00:06:57,240 --> 00:07:01,520 Speaker 1: the the minimum mandatory sentencing for those that are assaulting 130 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:04,120 Speaker 1: frontline workers, do you hope that it acts as a deterrent. 131 00:07:05,760 --> 00:07:10,240 Speaker 2: Look, I hope anything that you know, improves the safety 132 00:07:10,240 --> 00:07:15,040 Speaker 2: and wellbeing of frontline workers when they're doing their job, 133 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:19,600 Speaker 2: you know, is a positive step. But unfortunately, you know, 134 00:07:19,800 --> 00:07:23,480 Speaker 2: just it can't just be the laws. It has to 135 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:27,400 Speaker 2: be people's attitudes. It has to be other people around 136 00:07:27,480 --> 00:07:30,880 Speaker 2: actually calling people out on that poor behavior. It needs 137 00:07:30,880 --> 00:07:34,040 Speaker 2: to be you know, everyone, you know, as a society, 138 00:07:34,560 --> 00:07:38,280 Speaker 2: changing the sort of what's either seemed to be accepted 139 00:07:38,520 --> 00:07:40,920 Speaker 2: or you know, what's not tolerated. 140 00:07:41,280 --> 00:07:44,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, Andrew made I always appreciate your time. I wish 141 00:07:44,600 --> 00:07:46,600 Speaker 1: that you and I weren't having to speak so often 142 00:07:46,760 --> 00:07:49,480 Speaker 1: about assaults on paramedics. 143 00:07:49,760 --> 00:07:51,200 Speaker 3: I've said it before, I'll say it again. 144 00:07:51,280 --> 00:07:53,480 Speaker 1: I think it's just woeful that they're going out to 145 00:07:53,520 --> 00:07:56,240 Speaker 1: try and help people and they're being subjected to this 146 00:07:56,400 --> 00:07:59,640 Speaker 1: kind of behavior. You know, the work that everybody it's 147 00:07:59,640 --> 00:08:02,600 Speaker 1: in John does, from the volunteers to the paramedics is 148 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:06,880 Speaker 1: absolutely instrumental for so many of us on a daily basis, 149 00:08:07,040 --> 00:08:09,800 Speaker 1: and they shouldn't have to push up with some of 150 00:08:09,800 --> 00:08:12,080 Speaker 1: the behavior that they're currently experiencing. 151 00:08:13,640 --> 00:08:15,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely, And you know, as I said, we have 152 00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:18,320 Speaker 2: amazing stuff, and you know, I must give a shout 153 00:08:18,320 --> 00:08:22,360 Speaker 2: out to all my stuff, the volunteers, the paramedics, the 154 00:08:22,400 --> 00:08:25,520 Speaker 2: call takers, all the support stuff, because you know they 155 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:29,480 Speaker 2: continue to keep you know, you delivering that high level 156 00:08:29,480 --> 00:08:32,120 Speaker 2: of care and responding to the emergencies. And they're there 157 00:08:32,160 --> 00:08:35,240 Speaker 2: twenty four to seven and the spite everything that's going on, 158 00:08:35,679 --> 00:08:38,319 Speaker 2: you know, they're still still there and doing their job 159 00:08:38,520 --> 00:08:40,920 Speaker 2: and that's what they are, their professionals, and that's what 160 00:08:40,960 --> 00:08:41,280 Speaker 2: they do. 161 00:08:41,280 --> 00:08:42,960 Speaker 3: For absolutely well. 162 00:08:43,040 --> 00:08:47,720 Speaker 1: Andrew Thomas, the Saint John Ambulance Director of Ambulance Services. 163 00:08:47,960 --> 00:08:49,679 Speaker 1: It's always good to catch up with you or talk 164 00:08:49,720 --> 00:08:50,559 Speaker 1: to you again very. 165 00:08:50,360 --> 00:08:53,079 Speaker 2: Soon, no problem, Katie, have a good weekend. 166 00:08:53,240 --> 00:08:54,599 Speaker 3: You two. Thank you.