Nurse attacked at Lyell McEwin Hospital by escaped mental health patient

SA Health has launched an investigation after a patient escaped from a mental health unit at the Lyell McEwin Hospital and attacked a nurse in a carpark.

A nurse has been attacked at the Lyell McEwin Hospital.

• Lyell McEwin nurse has surgery after man stabs her

A nurse has been attacked outside the Lyell McEwin Hospital by a patient who escaped from the facility’s mental health unit.

SA Health has launched an investigation into the incident while the nurses union is calling for better security to protect health workers.

Northern Adelaide Local Health Network nursing and midwifery acting executive director Andrew McGill confirmed the assault occurred in broad daylight yesterday.

“Approximately at 12.30pm yesterday in the carpark...we had one of our valued nursing staff members arrive for work,” he said.

“At the same time, unfortunately, we had one of our mental health clients abscond from one of our mental health units on site.

“Unfortunately (the nurse) was harassed by the patient (and) there was a short scuffle.”

Mr McGill said the patient tried to grab the nurse’s identification badge and “just get some attention from her”.

“The staff member...wasn’t injured (and she) called out for help,” he said.

“We are grateful other staff came to her assistance but certainly the security guards who were present at the time were...close behind.”

Mr McGill said the patient was detained under the Mental Health Act.

“The patient is in our care and will be fully supported with ongoing treatment,” he said.

Mr McGill said security guards were present in the mental health unit when the patient escaped.

“At this particular time there was security guards present hence why they were quick moving through the unit, out of the unit to actually find the patient but we are certainly looking into the reasons why that happened in the first place,” he said.

SA Health is conducting a review into the incident.

“All incidents such as this we review that with the utmost of concern,” Mr McGill said.

“We want to make sure we learn from this (and) understand what actually triggered this incident to occur.”

An SA Police spokesman confirmed officers attended “an alleged assault in a hospital carpark involving a patient” yesterday afternoon.

“On arrival the suspect had left the scene but was located a short time later,” he said.

“The victim in the matter chose not to make a formal report to police and the suspect was returned to the custody of hospital staff.”

The incident comes after a nurse was stabbed in the neck at the hospital by an unknown man in June last year.

The nurse underwent surgery to treat a laceration under her chin. Her injury was not life-threatening.

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation SA Branch chief executive officer Elizabeth Dabars said a “systemic approach to dealing with violence and aggression” was needed.

“We cannot continue to deal with violence and aggression in a reactionary way,” she said.

“The most recent policy of the Department, released in recent weeks, still appears to be missing clear objectives and priorities for implementation.

“We are not convinced the violence and aggression nurses, midwives and the community experience in our hospitals and health care settings will resolve in the absence of a clear implementation strategy, measurables and accountability.”

Ms Dabars called on the Government to “act swiftly to eliminate violence and aggression across the health system”.

“It is unacceptable – all staff, patients and visitors have a right to provide care and be cared for in a safe environment,” she said.

Opposition health spokesman Chris Picton described the incident as “shameful”, saying “no nurse should be put in that situation”.

“The (Health) Minister had assured nurses that security was tight at the hospital, but for this to happen in the car park in broad daylight shows the government’s security is not enough,” he said.

“For months the Government has refused calls from the nursing federation for a plan on security for nurses - but now more than ever implementing such a plan is essential.”