** UK paramedic struck off after allegedly making sexual remarks to patient’s granddaughter
** UK EMS brass in West Midlands considering body cameras to deter assaults on staff
UNITED KINGDOM NEWS
** A North West Ambulance Service paramedic has been banned from practicing after making sexually explicit remarks to the granddaughter of a patient. The Manchester Evening News (Todd Fitzgerald/November 27) said Bolton resident Richard Moxon, 52, was given his walking papers last week after the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) also found his clinical skills under par. According to the newspaper, Moxon attended the home of his patient on November 27, 2013 after the elderly male patient fell. He then returned unsolicited the next day, attempting to push the bolted door open. Along with flirting with the woman, he also allegedly touched her hair and arm near her breast and suggested she rub his legs. In addition, the hearing heard he made a comment to the girl about sexual intercourse. Moxon dismissed the allegations, saying he was merely tickling the woman and touched her hair to pat it down. Commenting after the hearing, Moxon said the lack of police involvement proved he was innocent of the allegations. However, he said his lack of funds meant he was unable to fight the case.
** Increasing violence against West Midlands Ambulance personnel has led EMS brass to consider body cameras. That is the word from The Express and Star (November 26) which said the devices would record evidence to be used against offenders in court. According to the newspaper, between April and September of this year 57 medics have been attacked in the Black Country and 35 in Staffordshire. Last year, during the whole of 2015 the numbers were 89 and 29 respectively. In 2014, meanwhile, the stats were put at 70 and 29. Both male and female staff were the subjects of the assaults.
