Recent reports have shed light on a disturbing incident at Middlemore Hospital in Auckland where a patient attempted to strangle a nurse. The patient, who had been dropped off by police at the Emergency Department, carried out the attack without any provocation. The 23-year-old man has since been charged with attempted strangulation.
This alarming assault comes on the heels of another violent incident at a hospital, where a nurse was hospitalized with stab wounds after responding to a call in Rotorua just nine days prior. The nurse at Middlemore Hospital was one of three on duty in the ED’s short-stay unit and was attacked while attending to a patient’s dressing.
According to reports, the patient had not been flagged as dangerous or a mental health risk, catching the medical staff off guard. It took a team of colleagues, including a skilled rugby player nurse, to subdue the attacker before security and police arrived.
Following the incident, calls for increased security measures have been made by staff, who expressed feeling traumatized and fearful. Despite being given time off work, mental health support has not been offered to those affected, including the victim.
Health New Zealand (HNZ) has stated that Middlemore Hospital, as one of the high-priority EDs, received additional security funding over the summer. However, concerns about the adequacy of security budgets and the need for improved safety measures persist.
NZNO’s Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku highlighted the challenging environments nurses are facing, citing increased levels of frustration and volatility among patients and their families. The need for enhanced security and support for healthcare workers has become a pressing issue.
This incident at Middlemore Hospital is the second security breach in a week, following a firearm being discharged in the hospital’s car park. These events underscore the risks and challenges faced by healthcare professionals in their line of duty.
