Youth charged after a senior doctor ‘stabbed’ at Burnie hospital in Tasmania, police say

by Monte Bovill, ABC

Tasmania Police say they have charged a 17-year-old youth after an alleged wounding incident at one of the state’s major hospitals.

The charges include wounding and two counts of threatening police.

Police say the youth will appear before the Burnie Youth Justice Court later on Monday.

Police were called to the North West Regional Hospital (NWRH) in Burnie, on the state’s north-west coast, following reports a medical professional had been wounded on Sunday afternoon.

Read the full story here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-10/senior-doctor-life-saved-after-stabbing-at-burnie-hospital/102205438.

Media release – Tasmania Police, 9 April 2023 – 7:45 pm

Youth in custody following wounding at Cooee

Police are investigating a wounding incident at the North West Regional Hospital in Cooee where a medical professional has received a serious injury.

Police were called to attend the hospital at about 4.30pm and took a youth into custody a short time later.

The victim has been airlifted to the Royal Hobart Hospital in a critical condition.

The incident was isolated and there is no threat to the wider community.

Police remain at the scene conducting investigations.

If anyone has any information that may assist police with this matter they are encouraged to call police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers via www.crimestopperstas.com.au.

Media release – AMA Tasmania, 10 April 2023

PROTECTING THOSE WHO HEAL

Our emergency departments are the front door for all Tasmanians going through various forms of trauma.

Our doctors and nurses are experienced in dealing with all types of events and understand that any day, they may be the victim of a violent incident while performing their job of saving lives.

Dr John Saul, AMA Tasmania President, said, “I know my emergency department colleagues are well aware of the possibility of experiencing violence while performing their duties, but it is still shocking when it happens.

“On behalf of all my colleagues and AMA Tasmania, I would like to offer our support to the doctor and their family during this terrifying time.

“I also want to thank everyone who has cared for this doctor at the Northwest Regional Hospital, the air retrieval team and the Royal Hobart Hospital, and those stepping up to provide additional support to the medicos in the northwest as they work through the effects of this incident.

“While we do not know the details surrounding this event, we know hospitals are dealing with people who are experiencing trauma, mental health episodes or drug psychosis and may react in unpredictable ways.

“The AMA will advocate for the safety and well-being of all doctors and will be looking to work with the government on how our emergency departments can be made as safe as possible for staff and other patients across the state.

“The Tasmanian Health Service needs to urgently review safety protocols and measures to look for ways to improve and create a safer future for patients and staff.

“We know hospital emergency departments can sometimes be highly volatile; a possible effect is a heightened risk of violence.

“Concerningly, patient aggression is a contributor to doctor burn-out, and more needs to be done to reduce violent and aggressive behaviours in our communities.

“As a community, we need a strong message that violence is unacceptable in any environment.

“People have a right to feel and be safe at work, in their homes and around their communities.

“If this event has triggered any concerns for our medical student or doctor colleagues, the Drs4Drs Tasmania helpline 1300 374 377 will put you in touch with a doctor to provide health support.”

Media release – Jeremy Rockliff, Premier, Minister for Health, 10 April 2023

Providing support to staff and patients impacted by hospital incident

The Tasmanian Government and the Department of Health are providing support to staff and patients affected by the wounding of a medical professional at the North West Regional Hospital.

The incident occurred on Sunday in the hospital’s Emergency Department, with the injured doctor now at the Royal Hobart Hospital in a critical but stable condition.

“On behalf of the Tasmanian Government, our thoughts and prayers go to our staff member, his family and friends, and to all staff and patients that have been impacted by this incident,” Premier and Minister for Health Jeremy Rockliff said.

“The safety and well being of our staff and patients is our number one priority and professionally trained security professionals are employed at all our public hospitals.

“Critical incident support protocols have been initiated by the Department of Health to provide the necessary support to any staff and patients impacted.”

Department of Health Secretary Kathrine Morgan-Wicks said the thoughts of everyone across the Department were with the injured team member, his family, work colleagues and anyone impacted by this concerning incident.

“I would like to thank all staff across North West Regional Hospital, the Mersey Community Hospital, our aero-retrieval team and the Royal Hobart trauma team for responding to this incident and supporting their colleagues in these difficult circumstances,” she said.

“As a Department we have initiated a critical incident response, which includes providing targeted support to all staff and patients impacted by this incident and debriefing sessions. A critical incident review will determine if any improvements need to be made to our response, the support for our staff and the safe operation of our Emergency treatment areas.

“Employee Assistance Program counsellors have been on site today at the North West Regional Hospital and will be present throughout the rest of the week to provide staff with well being support.

“Support services are also being organised for staff at the Mersey Community Hospital due to the close nature of the teams at both sites.

“Staff requiring adjustments and support in the coming days and weeks are encouraged to speak to their manager and human resources and will continue to be supported as we move through the investigation process.”

As this is an ongoing police investigation, all further inquiries should be directed to Tasmania Police.