Police are investigating after footage emerged showing a nurse allegedly abusing and manhandling a vulnerable patient at a Melbourne hospital.
The footage was filmed at Caulfield Hospital on January 22, and shows a nurse grabbing the patient Billy Aivaliotis, 33, by the throat and throwing him onto a bed.
The camera was hidden in a picture frame by Mr Aivaliotis’ family who resorted to the measure after they claimed hospital staff wouldn’t listen to their concerns, the Herald Sun reported.
Law firm Arnold Thomas and Becker are initiating civil proceedings against the hospital in both country and federal courts on behalf of Mr Aivaliotis, who was born with cerebral palsy.
The hospital has said the nurse filmed in the video no longer works there.
Mr Aivaliotis was hit by a vehicle on May 22 and suffered a significant brain injury and fractures to his leg and ribs.
His family became concerned about his treatment when he began losing weight and developed bruises.
They said they had raised concerns with hospital staff but were unhappy with the response, feeling they were ignored.
‘Billy fought for his life after the accident. To beat death and recover, only to be abused and mistreated when completely defenceless is… totally devastating and infuriating,’ a family member said.
‘After this devastating realisation of mistreatment and abuse, we have absolutely no faith in this broken and failed system of care.
Police are investigating after footage emerged showing a nurse allegedly abusing and manhandling a defenceless patient at a Melbourne hospital
‘We had to take matters into our own hands to prove that Billy was abused and neglected, after zero action from the hospital.’
The family said because Billy cannot voice his feelings, fears and concerns, they will do everything possible to ensure his safety,
Nicholas Korkliniewski from Arnold Thomas and Becker said the law firm will ensure the nurse involved in the footage and the hospital are held to ensure.
Victoria Police said they will be investigating allegations of assault of a patient at the hospital on January 22.
A man aged in his 30s has been interviewed by police and released, pending further inquiries.
The footage was filmed at Caulfield Hospita (pictured)l on January 22, and shows a nurse grabbing the patient Billy Aivaliotis, 33, by the throat and throwing him onto a bed