London Ambulance Service video shows paramedic pushed by patient

A paramedic has called for abuse against ambulance staff to stop as video footage showing the moment a patient pushed him out of an emergency vehicle is released.

The footage of the incident outside a west London hospital has been released by the London Ambulance Service (LAS).

In the video, the 30-year-old paramedic can be seen falling to the ground and landing on his elbow.

Police arrested the male patient at the scene and he was later convicted.

The incident happened outside the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital earlier this year.

LAS said the patient had verbally abused both members of the ambulance crew, and used homophobic language because both men had long hair. He also urinated in the ambulance.

The video footage was handed over to the police and a court ordered the patient to pay the paramedic compensation.

The paramedic said: "It was very painful - so much so I thought I had broken my arm at first. There was such a sharp pain and then numbness.

"I'm glad this went to court because it reminds people this is an unacceptable way to treat us and needs to be stopped.

"We come to work to help people, not for this. I always wear a body-worn camera now and I make sure I'm never alone with some patients who I think might be a risk."

'Work without fear'

LAS has invested more than £3m in kitting out its ambulances with video cameras aimed at protecting crews.

Chief paramedic Dr John Martin said: "Our ambulance crews and call handlers come to work to help Londoners at times of need.

"It is one of the best jobs in the city but we cannot, and will not, accept violence or physical threat towards them.

"Working with our partners, we will do everything possible to keep them safe, including securing convictions where possible."

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