A man who allegedly threatened staff with a knife and injured a security guard at a Sydney hospital has been charged over the confrontation.
Police were called to Blacktown Hospital about 5.30am on Sunday following reports of a disturbance involving a patient and staff in the emergency department.
The incident occurred at Blacktown Hospital emergency department.Credit: Wolter Peeters
Christopher John Amos, 41, allegedly arrived at the hospital for treatment about 9.15pm on Saturday before threatening staff early on Sunday morning with a knife he had brought in with him.
During the incident, a 32-year-old security officer suffered an injury to his elbow after confronting the man.
Amos was taken to Blacktown police station and charged with intimidating a frontline health worker, although no actual bodily harm was caused; assaulting a frontline health worker, causing actual bodily harm; assaulting a frontline health worker, although no actual bodily harm was caused; having custody of a knife in a public place; and using an offensive weapon with the intent to commit an indictable offence.
The Ermington man appeared at Blacktown Local Court on Monday. He did not apply for bail, and it was formally refused.
In a statement, Blacktown Hospital management said NSW Police were investigating the incident.
“The safety of our staff, patients and visitors is a priority for Western Sydney Local Health District and we have a zero-tolerance approach to aggression or violence in our facilities,” it said.
“Blacktown Hospital provided immediate care to a security officer who was injured in the incident. The security officer was treated for minor injuries and has been discharged. All staff members involved are being provided ongoing support.”
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