Pakenham
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DISTRICT PAYS TRIBUTE ANZAC DAY COVERAGE PAGES 20-23, 54-55 Wednesday, 27 April 2016
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Standing for sacrifice A TOWN stood together as one, silent and thoughtful, reflecting on the many sacrifices made in war. Not a sound could be heard during Kooweerup’s Anzac Dawn service led by the Royal Australian Navy’s catafalque party on Monday 25 April. Veterans and families marched together to the cenotaph, stopping to salute a large memorial plaque along the town’s Avenue of Honour which was completed in time for last year’s Anzac Centenary commemoration. For more pictures of the moving service, turn to page 22. 153227 Picture: ROB CAREW
Keep ’em separated By ANEEKA SIMONIS CASEY Hospital has announced breakthrough plans to better manage the risk posed by mentally ill and drug affected patients in its Emergency Department. The changes, announced on Friday 22 April, vow to protect patients,
staff, police and paramedics – and restore dignity to troubled mental health and drug patients. A whistle-blower had strongly criticised the hospital, for allowing dangerous patients to mix with children and members of the public. Casey Hospital’s “unsafe” waiting
area was accused of failing to adequately contain aggressive, volatile patients as they waited for urgent medical attention. The whistle-blower told the Gazette dangerous patients were instead lumped together with other patients, including children.
The source, a senior emergency health worker, blamed the hospital’s poor facilities, highlighting a lack of isolated holding rooms for patients threatening public safety in addition to security management concerns. Those exposed to violence within the public hospital shared their terrifying experiences with the Gazette.
Among the claims, a 29-yearold Pakenham man suffering with kidney stones was allegedly intimidated, harassed and threatened by an “aggressive” woman wandering the hospital in search of drugs in the early hours of the morning on Thursday 24 March.
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