New figures show an increasing number of Queensland paramedics are ending up as patients simply by virtue of doing their jobs.

Attacks on paramedics are up 40 per cent statewide and more than half of all attacks are happening in the southeast Queensland region.

Torrin Nelson is a paramedic and a United Voice delegate and he tells Mark that he and his colleagues would like to see tougher penalties handed out to those who attack officers.

Download this podcast here