Port Macquarie Hospital staff attacked in 'one-off event', health chief tells parliamentary inquiry

Stewart Dowrick has apologised to staff attacked at Port Macquarie Hospital by a patient in January last year.  (ABC Mid North Coast: Kerrin Thomas)

A New South Wales parliamentary inquiry has heard details of a violent attack at a regional hospital that allegedly left staff with bite wounds, broken bones and concussion. 

Representatives from the Mid North Coast Local Health District (LHD) have been giving evidence at the inquiry's second last hearing and were asked about an incident that occurred at the Port Macquarie Hospital in January 2021. 

At the time the Health Services Union told the ABC, employees were assaulted by a patient who became violent and aggressive after being brought to the hospital by police.

A Port Macquarie Base Hospital security worker suffered a deep bite wound on his shoulder in January 2021.  (Supplied: Health Services Union)

"I do sincerely apologise for those who were injured at the time but I believe our staff did their best in a very difficult situation in the early hours of that morning," the Mid North Coast LHD's chief executive Stewart Dowrick told Tuesday's hearing. 

Labor MP Walt Secord asked Mr Dowrick if he agreed the LHD was one of the most "dangerous" in the state. 

"We operate within the state security guidelines," Mr Dowrick replied. 

"Last January five health service assistants were injured in a very tragic event.

The inquiry was told about changes and improvements the LHD had made, including training and extra security to try to better protect staff and patients in any future incidents. 

No progress on hospital

Several submissions to the inquiry raised concerns about the challenges medical services face in the NSW Blue Mountains, and included calls for a new or upgraded hospital.

Community groups have claimed the existing facilities at Katoomba and Springwood are ageing and unable to meet the needs of the area's 80,000 residents.

The inquiry was told a commitment was made in 2018 to deliver a new hospital for the Blue Mountains but a site has not yet been identified. (Supplied: David Fisher)

Nepean Blue Mountains LHD chief executive Kay Hyman told the inquiry the project had been identified as a priority for the region.

She said the current Blue Mountains Hospital was almost 100 years ago and the site restricted any further upgrade plans. 

Ms Hyman said an alternative location was yet to be identified but it was in the planning pipeline. 

"We continue to seek this as a priority for us," Ms Hyman told the inquiry. 

"There has not yet been an allocation of funds to a Blue Mountains Hospital."

The hearing continues.