THE CCC will investigate new allegations of patient abuse at The Park forensic mental health unit at Wacol.
The latest allegations claim a patient was assaulted by a senior member of The Park – Centre for Mental Health while having a psychotic episode.
“While the patient was handcuffed to a chair, a senior male nursing staff member punched them in the face,” the Park insider told the Tribune.
“This was witnessed by Queensland Police Service, and other staff inclusive of doctors, and no one intervened.”
The QPS could not verify whether its officers had attended such an incident without more precise timeframes, a police spokesman told the Tribune.
The mental health insider alleged that the Park has engaged in “systemic abuse of the mentally ill in care on an ongoing basis”.
“The CCC must conduct an independent inquiry into the alleged abuse of patients and continued corrupt conduct before a critical incident occurs and a patient becomes seriously hurt or worse,” they said.
“I have names of witnesses who were present at the assault, and I also have texts from a witness who was there, but they are frightened to come forward.”
The CCC, the Office of Health Ombudsman (OHO), and Brisbane law firm O’Connor Marsden and Associates are currently investigating allegations of abuse, nepotism, and misconduct at the high-secure facility.
Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman was sought for comment over the ongoing investigations but did not before our deadline.
OHO is also probing allegations that a Park staff member assaulted a colleague and engaged in stalking and harassment using a Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union of Employees work phone.
OHO documents stated: “The alleged conduct of assault is serious and if proven may amount to professional misconduct and a criminal charge.”
Meanwhile, West Moreton Health (WMH) recently instructed the Tribune to rewrite portions of an earlier article about a rapist at The Park who was apparently given a motel trip to have sex with a patient.
WMH scorned the story as an attempt at “crusading journalism” and suggested that we send our contacts list to them.
These requests were declined.