Patients in riot threat
SHOCKING vision has emerged of patients filming themselves threatening to riot and assault staff in the Townsville Hospital’s secure mental health unit.
The 15- minute mobile phone video was broadcast live on Facebook by a patient in the mental health unit and also includes a threat against Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
The use of mobile phones is prohibited within the unit.
It shows a group of male patients smoking in the yard and aggressively discussing the nurses and doctors who work there.
“Are you boys ready to do a riot?” one patient said.
“Are we ready to do a riot? I’m ready to do a riot. We’re going to knock these c--- out,” the patient filming the video said. “The police should be rocking up here shortly.”
The patient then agitates his companions, urging them to “round everyone up” to get ready for the altercation.
“Today I made a death threat to kill Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk … the list goes on,” the patient said.
“F--- youse doctors, we’re out to get you … f--- these nurses ( sic).”
The threats come as the hospital ordered six new security officers to be stationed at the secure mental health unit to help protect staff against violent patients.
A review of this unit by the Townsville Health and Hospital Service is under way and was initiated after a spate of violent assaults, as revealed by the Bulletin.
Townsville Hospital Mental Health Service Group clinical director Dr Jason Lee said the use of mobile phones within the unit was prohibited and the device had since been removed.
“Most of these consumers are not only significantly unwell but have criminal offending histories and exhibit difficult behaviours,” Dr Lee said.
“The behaviour in the video is clearly inappropriate and staff have been supported following the incident.
“Staff are routinely supported to make complaints to police.”
Dr Lee said the Townsville HHS had increased its security presence across mental health and staff were well trained in advanced occupational violence prevention techniques.
“I want to acknowledge the committed and courageous work our mental health staff do every day …,” he said.
Earlier this year, the Townsville Bulletin revealed a nurse in the unit had moved to an administrative role after her back was broken by a patient.
Between April 30 and June 18, there were three occupational violence incidents at the unit that resulted in three staff needing medical treatment. There were 202 violent incidents recorded at the hospital in 2017.