Health NZ has launched an investigation after a healthcare worker was reportedly strangled by a patient at Hawke’s Bay Hospital last week.
A witness said the alleged attack occurred in the general medical ward on September 13 at about 5pm, Hawke’s Bay Today reported. The newspaper said it was a strangling.
Hawke’s Bay Te Matau a Māui group director of operations David Warrington confirmed to 1News an “incident” had occurred.
Security staff intervened in a timely manner and the situation was swiftly de-escalated, Warrington said.
He said that patient and staff safety was Te Whatu Ora’s highest priority at all times, and that all staff have access to de-escalation training.
“Any incident where a healthcare worker comes to harm is fully investigated to understand the circumstances, and support is offered to those involved.
“This process is already underway for this incident, and we are unable to release specific information to protect the privacy of both the staff member and patient.”
Warrington said the ward was fully staffed at the time of the incident.
“It is not uncommon for patients from other areas of the hospital to sometimes require treatment or care on another ward in order to meet their specific needs, however we are not able to comment publicly about individual patients or cases.”
