PROBE AFTER MCKELLAR PATIENT, 74, TASERED:

Probe into McKellar Centre incident

AN elderly man has been hospitalised after being tasered by police while an inpatient at the McKellar Centre.

Barwon Health’s chief medical officer will probe the incident after concerns raised by the man’s family.

The 74-year-old, who suffers vascular dementia, was reportedly self-harming in his bed with a utensil around 6pm on Saturday and sustained serious injuries.

Victoria Police spokeswoman Nikki Ladgrove said officers were called to the North Geelong centre to help staff when the taser was deployed.

“Officers attended the Ballarat Road facility just after 6pm where a man was located with serious injuries and in possession of a weapon,” Ms Ladgrove said.

“After unsuccessfully negotiating with the man, officers discharged a conducted energy device.”

The man’s wife, Jackie Hayes, said her husband had a broken leg at the time of the incident and had only been at the McKellar Centre for three days after spending eight weeks in hospital following surgery.

Mrs Hayes said her husband could become agitated due to his dementia but was supposed to be under 24-hour guard.

“Surely they could’ve found a better way,” she said.

Mrs Hayes said her husband’s dementia had “gone up a level” following the incident and he was now “a mess”.

“I don’t want this to happen to anyone else,” Mrs Hayes said.

Ms Ladgrove said the man was disarmed and received immediate medical assistance before being taken to hospital by ambulance for treatment of his self-inflicted injuries.

Barwon Health spokeswoman Kate Bibby said staff were working with the patient’s family.

“We understand this is a distressing matter for the patient’s family and those involved in the incident,” Ms Bibby said.

Ms Bibby said Barwon Health staff were trained to deal with patients who were threatening staff or at risk of harming themselves.

“Police are called for additional support when a patient poses a significant physical risk to themselves, staff or other patients,” Ms Bibby said.

“The incident will be fully investigated by our chief medical officer, consistent with our policy to investigate all serious incidents.”