A woman was dragged across the floor of the Hawke's Bay Emergency Department by her partner in May this year. Photo / File
A woman was dragged across the floor of the Hawke's Bay Emergency Department by her partner in May this year. Photo / File
A woman waiting to see an emergency doctor at Hawke's Bay Hospital was dragged along the floor and out of the emergency department by her partner in front of horrified onlookers.
Laddie Paora Te Apatu Tamati, 31, pleaded guilty in the Hastings District Court on Tuesday to a charge ofassault over the May 4 incident.
Tamati had accompanied his partner to Hawke's Bay Hospital but once they were in the ED waiting room walked over and then "stood over her".
He grabbed her by the front collar of her hoodie and yanked her so hard by the scruff that she was pulled from her chair and fell to the floor.
Tamati dragged her along the ground through the waiting room and into the foyer, before releasing her and leaving her on the floor.
Hawke's Bay District Health Board executive director of people and quality Kate Coley said the hospital "has a zero tolerance policy toward violence and bullying".
"The DHB has security personnel working 24/7 on site providing valuable support to all departments to help maintain a safe environment for staff, visitors and patients.
"Within the health service setting, staff who work on the frontline can be confronted with unacceptable behaviours for a number of reasons - whether that be due to a person being very unwell, or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
"The DHB has in place a number of policies to support staff and minimise harm towards them, while at the same time maximising care and safety of patients. This includes a safe restraints policy, which staff are trained in," she said.
Coley said the DHB was considering new training opportunities and environmental changes, to further support its zero tolerance policies.
Judge Bridget Mackintosh labelled Tamati's behaviour as "serious".
"There's a lot of stresses and strains in a hospital and people don't need this brutish behaviour," she said.
