Johannesburg – Two Northern Cape nurses were assaulted while at work this week, but have not yet laid charges, their union said on Wednesday.A nurse at the Progress Clinic in Upington was attacked by a patient she was tending to on Tuesday, Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa) Northern Cape chairperson Kagisho Martin Taolo said.
“She sustained some bruises on her face and a haematoma to her forehead. She is still traumatised and expressed her fear whilst recounting the whole ordeal.”
She has been booked off work for the rest of the week.
Another nurse was assaulted at the Postmasburg District Hospital, also while seeing to a patient, earlier this week. She has since gone back to work.
Taolo said Denosa officials would visit the nurses on Thursday and Friday.
“We will meet them and hear what their view is. We can’t say that we will push them to lay charges.”
“It is about time that security measures at health facilities are strengthened,” he said.
Northern Cape police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu could not comment as no charges had been laid.
PH
