Monday, July 9, 2007

** Yorkshire, UK medics baulk at intro of body armour

** Scottish ambulance workers transport terror suspect

UNITED KINGDOM NEWS

** A public call for flak jackets has Yorkshire Ambulance Service medics demurring. That is the word from The Press (Richard Harris/July 16) which said practitioners claim the stab vests provoke further violence. Unison regional convenor Glen Gears cited a trial of the body armour in Manchester. According to Gears, gang members began targeting medics so they could steal the jackets. Gears also said a survey found some 90 per cent of EMS workers are against the equipment. Service assistant director of health, safety and risk Robin Hays said the items also present challenging infection control and body manoeuvrability issues.

** Paisley ambulance workers were recruited this past weekend to transport terror suspect Dr. Khalid Ahmed to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary burns unit. That is the word from the Evening Times (Jonathan Paisley/July 16) which said the transfer was done after doctors determined Ahmed, who has burns covering 90 per cent of his head and body, required specialist treatment. Travelling inside the EMS unit, he was transported with a police convoy escort. He remains in critical condition under armed guard. Ahmed is one of eight individuals suspected of attempting to blow up bombs in both Glasgow and London.