Health provider fined over assault of psychiatric nurse

An Australian Health provider has been given a hefty fine after a psychiatric nurse, on duty in a hospital in New South Wales, was assaulted by a patient.

Hunter New England Health has been fined more than $100,000 over an incident at its Morisset Psychiatric Hospital in 2001.

The nurse was working alone in the courtyard of the hospital's Kestrel Unit when he was assaulted and subsequently required hospital treatment for his injuries.

Hunter New England Health pleaded guilty to offences under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, agreeing that it failed to provide a safe workplace for the employee, who required a total of 17 days off work.

In addition to the fine, the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) directed the health service to pay the legal costs of the prosecutor, Workcover.