‘Problematic’ Bill to jail abusive patients
Proposed legislation to jail patients who attack doctors, nurses and health staff for up to three years, may be “problematic” in a health care setting where perpetrators could have mental illness or dementia. The concern comes as a Bill, released for consultation by Opposition backbencher, Martin Hamilton-Smith, proposed that patients who attack doctors, nurses and health staff would face up to three years more in jail if the legislation is passed in Parliament.
Proposed legislation to jail patients who attack doctors, nurses and health staff for up to three years, may be “problematic” in a health care setting where perpetrators could have mental illness or dementia.
The concern comes as a Bill, released for consultation by Opposition backbencher, Martin Hamilton-Smith, proposed that patients who attack doctors, nurses and health staff would face up to three years more in jail if the legislation is passed in Parliament.
The Sunday Mail reports calls from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation for people who attack any healthcare worker to face tougher penalties.
The changes to the Criminal Consolidation Act would make it an aggravated offence to intentionally attack health staff, increasing the penalty from 10 to 13 years.
Staff “burn-out”, particularly among nurses, can be contributed to the “failure to prevent and respond appropriately to assault within the health system”, according to Mr Hamilton-Smith.
Do you agree harsh penalties should apply to patients, including aged care residents, who intentionally abuse health care staff?
