Police investigation over death at Prince of Wales Hospital
A critical incident investigation has been launched by police following the death of an eastern suburbs man at Prince of Wales Hospital on Monday night, who had visited the hospital claiming to be suffering from hallucinations. The Health Services Union has confirmed two security staff were bitten during the incident.
Southern Courier
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An investigation has been launched by police following the death of an eastern suburbs man at Prince of Wales Hospital on Monday night who had visited the hospital claiming to be suffering from hallucinations.
The man died after a confrontation started in the emergency department and security, police and medical staff restrained him.
The Health Services Union (HSU) confirmed two security staff were bitten during the incident.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Willing said the man visited the hospital about 6pm.
“He was spoken to by medical staff and left prior to being admitted.
“Around 6.20pm last night the man returned to (the ED) where a confrontation ensued with security.
“An attempt was made to restrain the man by security personnel being assisted by ambulance and medical staff.”
Police were called and helped restrain the man by handcuffing him. He was also placed on a stretcher.
“It was then shortly afterwards that medical personnel realised that the man was unresponsive and, despite efforts to resuscitate the man, he was pronounced dead at 7.21pm.”
The incident was caught on CCTV footage and body-worn cameras by police.
Ass Com Willing said the police officers involved were not injured.
The critical incident investigation is being conducted by an independent command and overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
“During the course of a normal critical incident investigation they will look at the entire circumstances of the incident and the actions of all involved including the security personnel, the ambulance officers, the medical personnel in addition to the police officers.
“And of course the incident itself.”
HSU NSW secretary Gerard Hayes said two security staff at the hospital were bitten during the incident.
He said security staff needed robust training to be able to de-escalate confrontations before they happen, rather than simply react to dangerous incidents as they unfold.
However, he said much-needed funding to introduce that kind of training as well as increase the number of security at hospitals was not being provided by the NSW Government.
“Prince of Wales Hospital can have 10,000 people in that hospital in any given day with a whole range of medical issues and mental health issues, it is a really complex microcosm of society.”
He said there had now been five serious attacks in NSW hospitals since the union held strikes at hospitals across the state a few weeks ago calling for improved safety.
Information will be provided for the coroner.
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