Alcohol has been described as a “key factor” behind a shocking rise in the number of Fife addresses where ambulance workers may need police protection before attending a 999 call.
As one of a number of measures introduced by the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), addresses where there have been previous incidents of violence or threatening behaviour towards staff are flagged in control rooms.
This means that if a 999 call comes in from such an address, dispatchers can identify the risk and request police support.
The Scottish Ambulance Service dealt with 152 violence warnings linked to Fife addresses last year, almost treble the 53 recorded in 2012. There were also 999 general warnings, compared to 854 in Tayside and 517 in Forth Valley.
A spokesman for the SAS told The Courier: “If any crews feel that their safety may be compromised, they are instructed to hold nearby the scene and await support from the police, or additional ambulance crews.
“Every year, ambulance crews report incidents of physical assault ranging from pushing and punching to spitting and attack with a variety of weapons.
“They deserve more respect for their dedication to patient care, often provided in the most challenging of situations. In most of these incidents alcohol is a key factor in the aggressive behaviour of patients.”
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser, who raised the issue earlier this month, said: “At a time when budgets are constrained, we cannot afford to have ambulances waiting outside no-go addresses. This can also stop other crews from attending other life-threatening emergencies.”