Healthcare worker dealt horrific coward punch

Watch exclusively obtained footage of the moment a healthcare worker was knocked unconscious during an allegedly unprovoked attack at a southeast Queensland public hospital. SEE THE SHOCKING VIDEO.

Horrifying footage obtained exclusively by The Courier-Mail shows the moment a healthcare worker was coward punched and knocked unconscious in a terrifying unprovoked attack at a Queensland hospital earlier this year.

The confronting scene, caught on hospital CCTV, happened at Redlands Public Hospital in early April.

Cameron Joseph Butwell, 35, from Redland Bay is the man police allege punched the healthcare worker.

The footage shows a man swinging at the healthcare worker.

In the exclusive footage, a man can be seen walking in behind the triage desk wearing only his underwear.

Two confused workers seemingly acknowledge the relatively calm man, before the female staff member leaves the room to grab security.

It is while she is absent from the room the man strikes the male staff member with a forceful swing, knocking him unconscious.

The worker falls to the ground as his glasses fly off his face.

The worker on the ground following the alleged attack.

Moments later four security can be seen entering the office where they tackle the alleged attacker to the ground.

Brave staff urgently attend to the worker’s side, where it’s understood they treated him for the horrific blow.

Butwell, who owns his own tree lopping business, was charged with one count of serious assault of public officer causing GBH and two counts of serious assault of public officer.

He appeared in Cleveland Magistrates Court on April 7 following the incident, and is next due to face court in February 2021.

The Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union (QNMU) said they are working with the State Government to address horrific violence healthcare workers face on a daily basis.

“We are very clear on this, there is never any excuse for attacks on nurses, midwives, other health worker or indeed any other emergency service or frontline staff, QNMU Secretary Beth Mohle said.

“The QNMU has long advocated for stronger protections and solutions through the Occupational Violence Taskforce, of which the QNMU is a part of and lobbied for.”

“We will continue to work with the State Government to address ongoing issues around violence in the workplace.”

Ms Mohle said all occupational violence should be reported and any staff who experienced violence at work should contact their relevant union for assistance.

The QNMU will continue to provide support for members affected by workplace violence and abuse and continue to campaign vigorously to address such violence against hospital and health services staff.

In a response to The Courier-Mail, Metro South Health said they have “a zero tolerance policy for people who assault health workers.

“The wellbeing, safety and security of our patients, visitors and staff is our highest priority. As this matter is before the Courts, no further comment can be made.”