Joanna's Story

This page is being developed. 

Paramedic Joanna Paskell was assaulted in May 2021 by a patient at Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales.

The mother-of-four, an ambulance worker of 25 years, was subsequently left with panic attacks.

Joanna, who is based in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, recalls: “It was while we were trying to move the patient from the trolley to a bed that she lashed out and punched me straight in the chest.

“I was stunned as it was completely out of the blue, and there had been no indication that she was going to get aggressive.

“Although shaken, I thought nothing of it at the time, just taking painkillers for the pain.

“It was only as I was getting ready for my next shift that realisation dawned, and I actually had a panic attack.

“I subsequently had to take time off work.

“It took a lot for me to come back, and even now, I’m very cautious around patients.”

Joanna’s attacker was given a 12-month community order.

You can support the campaign on social media by using the hashtag #WithUsNotAgainstUs.