DistantNews
🇧🇪 Belgium /Health & Science

Patient Attacks Staff at Psychiatric Center Myna in Sint-Truiden: 2 Employees Hospitalized, Silent March Planned

From VRT NWS · (3h ago) Dutch Critical tone

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A patient at the Myna psychiatric center in Sint-Truiden attacked several staff members, resulting in two being hospitalized.
  • This is the second attack by the same patient in a short period, raising concerns about staff safety.
  • Healthcare workers are planning a silent march to protest what they describe as increasingly unsafe working conditions.

From Brussels, this is VRT NWS.

Die patiënt verblijft al een tijdje bij ons en is ernstig ziek. Maar agressie hoort niet bij onze job, ook niet in een psychiatrisch ziekenhuis.

— Bert PlessersDirector of Myna, commenting on the patient's condition and the unacceptability of aggression in their profession.

The incident at the Myna psychiatric center in Sint-Truiden is deeply concerning, highlighting a growing issue of workplace safety for healthcare professionals, particularly those in mental health care. The fact that a patient, described as "seriously ill" and "very vulnerable," has attacked staff members twice in a week underscores the challenging environment these dedicated individuals work in. The two employees requiring hospitalization is a stark reminder of the physical risks involved in their profession.

Director Bert Plessers' acknowledgment that "aggression is not part of our job, not even in a psychiatric hospital" and his support for the planned silent march demonstrate solidarity with the staff. His candid admission of feeling "powerless" and the center's lack of an "adapted setting" to manage such a patient, especially one who is not interned, points to systemic issues. This situation is not unique to Myna; many psychiatric facilities grapple with balancing patient care with staff security, often facing resource limitations.

Die actie is vanop de werkvloer gegroeid en als directie steunen we dat ook. Het is goed dat er solidariteit is. We zijn allemaal erg aangedaan door wat er zich heeft voorgedaan en voelen ons een beetje machteloos.

— Bert PlessersExpressing support for the staff's planned silent march and acknowledging the emotional impact of the incident.

The planned silent march by the employees is a critical expression of their distress and a demand for better safety measures. It reflects a broader sentiment among healthcare workers who feel increasingly vulnerable. The Belgian context here is crucial: while patient welfare is paramount, the well-being and safety of the caregivers cannot be overlooked. This incident and the subsequent protest serve as a vital call to action for authorities to address the safety protocols and resources available in psychiatric centers, ensuring that those who provide care are adequately protected.

Het gaat om een erg kwetsbare persoon die niet geïnterneerd is. Daardoor hebben we momenteel niet de aangepaste setting om hem op te vangen.

— Bert PlessersExplaining the challenges in managing the patient due to their vulnerable status and the lack of appropriate facilities.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog