Northern Ireland ambulance staff are to hold an emergency meeting today to discuss strike action following the latest attack on two crew members at the weekend.
The two paramedics were responding to a 999 call in north Belfast when their vehicle was hit by a brick in the Limestone Road area just before midnight on Saturday. The 30-year-old driver suffered an abrasion to his eye from flying glass and has to wear an eye patch over the injury. His female colleague was hit on the jaw by the brick and had to receive hospital treatment for facial injuries.
The incident is the latest in a spate of attacks on ambulance crews, both in Belfast and in Derry. The Ambulance Service's director of operations, Mr Liam McIvor, said the situation appear- ed to be worsening, especially in sectarian flashpoint areas such as the Limestone Road.
He hoped industrial action would be a "last resort", he told The Irish Times.
"Most of the incidents appear to be motivated by vandalism rather than sectarianism. These attacks are being carried out by youths who have no respect for any authority and we are calling on community leaders to make clear to these young people that attacks on vital services such as ambulances cannot be tolerated. We certainly do not want to withdraw any services to the community."
People working in public services have grown increasingly anxious over violent, unprovoked attacks on them. Just after Christmas Belfast bus-drivers staged a two-day wildcat strike to highlight their dismay over the growing number of assaults on drivers and vehicles.
The health service union, UNISON, says attacks on its members have doubled over the past 12 months.
UNISON's deputy regional secretary, Ms Patricia McKeown, said knife attacks on paramedics responding to emergency calls had become almost an everyday occurrence.
"We need action in a number of areas. First, anybody with information on those responsible for such attacks should come forward. Second, we would call on the ambulance service itself to again review safety and security for its staff. We appreciate, of course, that it is not possible to have every ambulance in Northern Ireland protected by some kind of security measure."
The SDLP chair of the Assembly's health committee, Dr Joe Hendron, condemned the latest attack on the ambulance crew. Dr Hendron, a GP, said it was appalling to see people committed to helping the public assaulted while carrying out their duties.