KEY POINTS:
A staff member at Porirua mental hospital's Haumietiketike unit has been suspended after an alleged assault on a patient.
The secure facility is for intellectually disabled people needing specialist treatment.
Capital and Coast District Health Board confirmed today it was dealing with an allegation of assault on a male patient by a staff member.
The staff member had been stood down.
Radio New Zealand reported the staff member allegedly punched the patient repeatedly, drawing blood.
- NZPA
