Response - what response?

The coroner at the inquest on the shootings in Cumbria last summer has raised concerns about the fact that paramedics were prevented from attending to victims promptly as a result of Health and Safety regulations.  I have the greatest admiration for the emergency services, but don't see how such services can function if the safety of their personnel is considered to be of greater importance than dealing with the emergency. Under those circumstances, they cease to be an emergency service.  In Cumbria, we apparently had the ludicrous situation where members of the public were trying to assist the victims, while the paramedics were held back.  This state of affairs cannot be allowed to continue - either that or we simply disband the emergency services and it's every man for himself..