TWO paramedics needed hospital treatment when they were attacked by their patient.

Police were called to assist the paramedics at 2.15am on Thursday after they were called to help a man in Farnworth.

The man punched one them in the face. It is believed the other paramedic was injured when he fell as he tried to help his colleague.

Asiya Jelani, of the North West Ambulance Service, said: “Both members of the ambulance crew sustaining injuries which required hospital treatment. The police were called and the patient was arrested.”

She added: “The trust does not tolerate abusive behaviour against staff. If an assault occurs, we will fully support the staff involved and encourage them to report it to the police.”

A police spokesman said a 38-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of assault.

Last month a leading Bolton health official called for zero tolerance of people who assaulted paramedics. Cllr Andy Morgan, chairman of Bolton Council’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, said violent patients should be refused treatment by the NHS.

The Ambulance Service recently launched its Stop Abuse campaign to raise awareness of the violence and aggression ambulance staff face.