A nurse suffers second-degree burns after a patient from the mental health unit throws her boiling water

A nurse from a mental health unit in Christchurch was burned to the second degree when a patient threw her a cup of boiling water.

A spokesman for the Canterbury District Health Board confirmed that the attack had occurred in the hospital's inpatient ward of Hillmorton Hospital, a mental health facility, during of the weekend.

Nurse Florence Smith's Facebook page posted photos illustrating the burns and indicated that the nurse wrote notes to the nursing station when boiling water was thrown at her, causing second-degree burns and "future scars" , not to mention emotional trauma ".

"When asked why, the patient shrugged," said the post.

"She could be your daughter, your wife, your sister, your friend, she's a nurse, and there's no excuse, never!"

The DHB spokesman said that the nurse was fine and was in a comfortable state.

"We are conducting a thorough investigation of what happened and the circumstances in the unit at that time and will continue to help the grievor recover," they said.

"Specialized mental health services take all incidents of violence seriously. No level of violence against staff, patients or any other person is acceptable.

"We are taking steps to reduce the risk of violence within our service, for example, the specialized mental health service is working on a project with the New Zealand Nurses Organization to support a safe and short-term hospitalization service. sustainable.

"The project aims to combat aggression and threats and seeks ways to prevent, defuse and proactively and systematically manage aggressive behavior.

"The project is also examining leadership roles and admissions procedures in the event of a crisis, and is taking steps to create a more soothing and therapeutic environment."

The weekend incident was not the first serious attack at the hospital this year.

In March, a nurse was "nonsensically beaten", another finger was bitten "to the bone" and a third nurse was hit in the jaw during an assault at Hillmorton Hospital .

The three nurses from the Christchurch Mental Health Clinic found themselves in an emergency after the assault of a patient with a drug-induced psychosis.

A health and safety review was initiated at Hillmorton Hospital in October 2017 after previous reports that staff were bitten, struck and injured.

Between January and October of last year, there were 11 compensation claims for work-related injuries by the Assessment, Treatment and Rehabilitation staff.

Four people were also injured after a patient lit a fire at the hospital in December.

Jane Bodkin, Acting Nursing Manager, Ministry of Health, said the safety and well-being of nurses and other health workers was extremely important and was the shared responsibility of the individuals and organizations that employed them. .

"We are very concerned about the escalation of violence against healthcare workers internationally and in New Zealand and we welcome measures to work together to improve security. staffing and the creation of healthy workplaces. "