A female psychologist at Melbourne’s Thomas Embling high-security psychiatric hospital has been injured after being assaulted by a patient.
Police were called to the hospital on Yarra Bend Road, in Fairfield just after 10:00am on Tuesday morning.
A spokesperson for Thomas Embling said the psychologist raised the alarm about a “serious incident” involving a patient assault in the Jardine Unit.
“The psychiatrist activated the emergency response systems and the patient was safely detained within minutes without injury to other staff,” the spokesperson said.
The woman received minor injuries and Ambulance Victoria said she was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital in a stable condition.
Thomas Embling has 116 beds and most patients are transferred from the prison system of ordered by the courts to undergo psychiatric assessment or care.
Steps have been taken to support staff and patients and ensure the unit is safe, following the incident, the hospital said.
“Forensicare is working with Victoria Police to enable the police to obtain the necessary court orders so that the patient can be formally interviewed as soon as possible,” the spokesperson said.
“These issues are taken extremely seriously by Forensicare and a detailed report on the assault will be prepared for the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist.”
Yarra Crime Investigation Unit are investigating.