Mental health worker stabbed, beaten by patient

Photo. File photo

An inquiry has been launched after a Nelson mental health worker was stabbed, kicked and had boiling water thrown over her by a patient.

The 49-year-old Nelson woman, who works for Nelson Marlborough District Health Board's community mental health team, is now recovering at home from the vicious attack after being discharged from Nelson Hospital.

She was visiting the man in respite care at a Nelson house last Thursday when police say that without warning, he stabbed her in the throat, arm, back and face with a knife, and punched and kicked her, The Nelson Mail reported. She also suffered burns after having boiling water thrown over her body.

The following day, a 40-year-old man on an invalid's benefit appeared in Nelson District Court and entered no plea to a charge of attempted murder.

The man, who was granted interim name suppression, was remanded in custody by consent until Thursday.

Health board mental health district manager Robyn Byers said staff were in shock and an investigation was underway into the circumstances surrounding the attack.

"I must say that we haven't had anything this major in my experience of mental health and I have been here a very long time."

Ms Byers said the victim was an experienced nurse and a "very resilient person".

- NZPA