Nurse allegedly held at knifepoint in ‘not uncommon’ incident, says healthcare body
A NURSE has allegedly been held at knifepoint in one of several shocking alleged incidents a nurses’ body says is not uncommon
Police & Courts
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A NURSE was allegedly held at knifepoint in the remote community of Numbulwar, in an incident a union says is not uncommon.
The episode, which occurred Friday last week, is one of several shocking alleged incidents in the community situated almost 600km east of Darwin in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation acting branch secretary Cath Hatcher said the nurse was not injured during the incident, and no assistance had been required.
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Police confirmed a man had been arrested and remanded in custody over the incident.
Superintendent Kirk Pennuto said: “NT Police confirm a man was arrested and charged following an incident in Numbulwar on November 20.
“He has appeared in court and was remanded in custody until December 10, 2020. As the matter is currently before the court, police are unable to comment further.”
Ms Hatcher said the union was concerned about the alleged attack.
She said violence was a reality nurses and midwives across the country faced daily, often from people who were in distress.
“It’s the nature of the profession but also alcohol and other drugs come into factor that make it worse,” she said.
“The behaviour shouldn’t happen but I don’t know what we can do about it except that we have the training to calm down a situation.”
It is not known if police allege alcohol or drugs were factors in this incident.
Numbulwar welcomed a number of residents from Groote Eylandt over the past week, with a police spokeswoman saying most had left the community without incident.
In a separate incident on Thursday, a disagreement in the community resulted in a person drawing a crossbow.
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A police spokeswoman said it was a domestic violence-related matter and no one was shot.
However, the matter is still under investigation.
The Department of Health was contacted for comment on the matter relating to the nurse but declined.
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