Ex-IMH nurse charged for abusing patient in his care
TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — A former nurse at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) was hauled to court today (Nov 26) for punching, elbowing and kicking a patient in his care, causing the victim to suffer two fractured ribs.
Aung Phyo Thu, 25, a Burmese, allegedly committed the assault on Feb 17 at 5:55am.
In response to TODAY’s queries, IMH said that it formed a Board of Inquiry to investigate the matter, after discovering that their patient had been hurt.
After establishing that the nurse had carried out the assault, IMH lodged a police report and fired the nurse in March. He had been working at IMH since May 2013. “IMH has a zero tolerance attitude towards violence on patients. After the staff involved was terminated, we debriefed his colleagues in the ward and block, to reinforce our policy and to help them appreciate and understand management’s actions,” said an IMH spokesman.
She added: “IMH provided support for both the patient and his family after the incident and the patient has since recovered from his injury.”
Further details on the incident could not be provided, as the case has been brought before the courts, said IMH.
Aung Phyo Thu is currently out on S$20,000 bail. His passport has been impounded. The court also barred him from approaching the victim.
He returns to court on Dec 21 for a pre-trial conference. For voluntarily causing grievous hurt, the accused could be jailed up to 10 years, and given a fine or caned.
