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Taser Fired as Patient Allegedly Assaults Staff
26 Apr
Summary
- A nurse sustained serious leg injuries during the incident.
- A patient allegedly assaulted two other nurses and a guard.
- Police used a Taser to subdue the alleged attacker.
A chaotic scene unfolded at Sydney's Prince of Wales hospital on Saturday night when a 51-year-old patient allegedly launched an assault on multiple staff members and a visitor. A nurse sustained serious injuries to her leg and required admission for further treatment.
The alleged violence began when the patient injured a nurse's leg before assaulting two other nurses and a security guard. During the same incident, a 26-year-old woman, who was attempting to shield a nearby patient, was reportedly struck with a garbage bin.
Responding officers, already present at the hospital for unrelated matters, were forced to use a Taser to subdue the man after he allegedly assaulted one of them. He was subsequently arrested and moved to a secure facility within the hospital. While the injured nurse received further medical care, other affected staff and a member of the public were treated at the scene.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about violence against healthcare workers in New South Wales. A recent report indicated that a significant majority of surveyed nurses experienced violence in the past year, prompting some hospitals to establish dedicated mental health units in emergency departments.
