** UK medic given the OK to practice EMS, despite doing nothing after man collapsed in front of him
** UK ambulance service in West Midlands installing CCTV in EMS units to deter violence against
medics
UNITED KINGDOM NEWS
** A Walsall area paramedic has been cleared to practice EMS again, despite being caught on video
declining to help a collapsed man outside an area hospital. The Irish Independent (January 10) said
the Health and Care Professions Panel ruled Matt Geary, 36, was fine for prehospital employment,
despite the group saying his ability to do medical care had been impaired. According to the
newspaper, Geary must now function under 10 provisos, including that he be supervised at all times
by a superior. Earlier this year, Geary was convicted in a criminal court of failing to undertake his
duty when he stood with his hands in his pockets as patient Carl Cope, 47, writhed in pain outside
Walsall Manor Hospital. He later directed security personnel to deal with the man. Cope later died.
Although the court handed him an eight month prison sentence, it was suspended for 2 years.
Throughout legal proceedings, he has continued to work as a private paramedic at various sporting
events.
** In an effort to deter patients from attacking paramedics, the West Midlands Ambulance Service
has decided to install closed circuit television video cameras (CCTV) inside ambulances. That is the
word from the BBC (January 9) which said the decision to use the devices comes after an upswing
in attacks. According to the news service, assaults have jumped 30 per cent from 108 between
April – September 2014, to 139 in 2015. Along with using the recorded footage as a deterrent and
to pursue prosecution, the service’s chief executive said he will also push for new laws to increase
legal penalties for such attacks.
