Auckland Hospital boosts security

By LOUISA CLEAVE

Auckland Hospital has tightened security at its emergency department after a woman complained she was sexually assaulted by a man dressed as a doctor.

The Auckland District Health Board and police investigated the allegation, but could not find the person described by the woman.

The hospital says it took the matter seriously, but in a letter to the woman referred to the incident as an "un-chaperoned physical examination".

The hospital's medical and surgery quality manager, Vanita Hira, told the woman that staff had been reminded to wear identification badges and introduce themselves to patients.

Staff should also encourage female patients to have a chaperone during physical and sensitive examinations, she said.

The hospital had reminded staff to be vigilant in challenging and noting any unauthorised or unknown people.

"The visibility of security staff within the emergency department has also been heightened as a result of this incident," the letter says.

"We regard this matter seriously and acknowledge your unease at this situation."

The 38-year-old Panmure woman went to the emergency room in the old hospital building five weeks ago with abdominal pain.

She was given morphine and put in a room by herself.

She said a man - who she described as Indian and aged in his late 20s or early 30s - entered the room wearing a white coat.

He had a stethoscope around his neck and was wearing a badge, although she could not read it because of the effect of the morphine.

She said the man spent 15 minutes in the room and "raped me by hand".

The woman said she told a nurse what had happened and understood she went away to tell someone.

The woman was admitted to hospital for tests and was asked if she wanted to lay a complaint with the police.

Detective Craig Iorns said the complaint was investigated.

Police viewed hospital security film, but this did not cover every entrance and exit.

"We investigated it, but haven't been able to identify an offender and the file has been closed," Mr Iorns said.

The hospital said it had collected reports from staff and reviewed the woman's treatment, which showed no one matching the man's description was "among your carers, other staff on duty in the department nor seen within the department at this time".

The woman said management apologised at two meetings held during the five days she was in hospital.

But she is unhappy that the health board is calling the incident an "un-chaperoned physical examination" rather than a sexual assault.

"I want them to acknowledge what happened," she said.

The mother-of-three, who is on an invalids benefit, said the assault happened shortly after she decided to have counselling for alcohol and cannabis abuse.

"This cut me off at the knees," she said.

"I've slipped back into my old habits because of what happened."

She said hospital management "didn't even give me a flower to say sorry".

"I've been through hell in my life and this is putting me through another hell."

A spokeswoman for the health board said the matter was "still under active consideration" but would not elaborate, saying patient confidentiality meant no further comment could be made.