A Saturday night at Sydney's Prince of Wales hospital turned into a scene that probably wasn't covered in any nurse's training, as a 51-year-old patient allegedly went on a rampage, assaulting several nurses, police, and a member of the public. The melee left one nurse with a seriously injured leg, while two other nurses and a security guard also fell victim to the patient's apparent aggression.
According to police, the man didn't stop there. He allegedly used a garbage bin to assault a 26-year-old woman who was trying to protect another patient, because nothing says 'healthcare crisis' quite like a rubbish bin as a weapon. When an officer attempted to intervene, the patient allegedly assaulted them too, prompting police to deploy a Taser and place him under arrest. He was subsequently moved to a secure facility within the hospital.
The injured nurse was admitted for further treatment, while the assaulted officer, hospital staff, and the bin-wielding victim were treated at the scene and released. The New South Wales Nurses and Midwives' Association, unsurprisingly, called for improved security and safety measures in emergency departments, noting that this was just the latest in a series of violent incidents.
“We are deeply alarmed by the alleged attack on several nurses at Prince of Wales hospital overnight,” said the association's general secretary Michael Whaites. “Nurses go to work to care for the most sick and vulnerable members of the community. Government and employers must do more to ensure they are safe, no matter the situation.”
The association's recent report revealed that 88% of respondents had experienced violence in the previous year, suggesting that 'healing hands' might need some backup. Previous incidents include a June 2024 attack at Westmead hospital where a patient allegedly slashed at staff, and an early April incident where a woman allegedly attacked a patient with a hammer at Royal Prince Alfred hospital.
Some NSW hospitals have already set up dedicated mental health units within emergency departments to curb violence, but the nurses' association says it will work with management and SafeWork NSW to identify further improvements after Saturday's incident.