Further to lack of compassion in NHS hospital staff: two paramedics have been arrested by police for allegedly ignoring a dying disabled man.

Paramedics arrested after 'ignoring dying man'
article in the Telegraph

Extract:

"They were detained after detectives were given a tape recording of them in the patient's house in which they were allegedly heard discussing not bothering to try to revive him.

The ambulance crew had been sent to Barry Baker's detached home after he dialled 999 saying he thought he was having a heart attack.

Ambulance controllers kept Mr Baker talking on the phone as they ordered the paramedic and ambulance technician to use their blue lights to get to him as quickly as possible.

However the 59-year-old, who lived alone, collapsed unconscious while talking on the phone, leaving the line open to the control centre as he lay on the floor.

Minutes later, dispatch centre staff heard their crew enter the house and allegedly make disparaging comments about its state.

A police source said the ambulancemen were then heard over the phone discussing Mr Baker and allegedly saying "words to the effect that he was not worth saving".

A police spokesman confirmed the arrests and said that a full scale investigation into the incident was being carried out by the force's Major Crime Team."

Paramedics refused to run along a beach to a dying boy for fear that they would be in breach of health and safety regulations, the child's father says

h Paramedics 'refused to run as boy lay dying'

Extract from the Telegraph report:

"Paramedics refused to run along a beach to a dying boy for fear that they would be in breach of health and safety regulations, the child's father has claimed.

James Poynton, 11, suddenly collapsed while walking along Caldy Beach, Wirral, Merseyside, with his family.

His parents called an ambulance but when paramedics arrived they walked towards them, according to James's father, Jim, 49.

When he asked why they had not broken into a run, they allegedly said that had they tripped they would have been unable to adequately treat James.

Mr Poynton, a company director, said: "I'm appalled that they wouldn't run. If someone is dying, aren't you supposed to save their life?"

Mr Poynton and his wife, Ann, believe that had the paramedics acted with more urgency their son might have lived."

Paramedics call on bars to ban glass.

Paramedics call on bars to ban glass

Extract:

"Paramedics from the South Central Ambulance Service are calling on clubs and bars to limit the use of glass bottles.

Staff from the service claim that reducing the amount of glass will limit the number of alcohol related incidents dealt with by emergency medical staff.

Paramedics were called to over 3,000 assaults in the Hampshire area during the latter half of 2006, reports the Basingstoke Gazette.

"We see some very unpleasant injuries caused by broken bottles and glasses, which are used as weapons," Paramedic Tony Heselton, told the newspaper. "