The Mercury reported the incident on January 19 where a police officer

suffered severe injuries to his eye socket after being called to help staff with the patient at the hospital’s mental health unit. The officer is expected to undergo surgery today.

What wasn’t revealed was that two security guards also received extensive injuries while dealing with the patient.

One officer suffered injuries to a shoulder and the other received a blow to the face, according to the union.

Hunter New England Local Health District said they could not confirm the injuries because of patient privacy.

But it said both staff members had been treated at the hospital’s emergency department and offered counselling.

Mr Hull said he couldn’t believe the security guards’ injuries were not

reported to the media.

“The hospital, we think, should have been more open,” he said.

“It was disappointing to read [only about the injured police officer].”

But a Hunter New England Local Health District spokesperson said it wasn’t normal procedure for the department to alert media if a staff member was injured while performing their duties.

Mr Hull said the union would call for a full review and assessment of the health system with particular focus on security.

“There has been an issue about security [at Maitland] for a number of years,” he said.

“The latest incident still shows there is a need to have a full and comprehensive review of the health system.

“I think Maitland is a good example in this instant.

“We believe it is certainly an issue that needs appropriate investigation with all the people involved in that [incident].”

The union and Maitland Hospital had discussions with the Industrial Relations Commission late last year about security issues at the hospital.

As a result, Mr Hull said a new

protocol had been introduced to combat issues of aggression and violence toward staff.

The outcome was to step up security officer attendance from one officer to two at all incidents.

Maitland Hospital general manager Trish Wilson said providing a safe

environment for staff and patients was one of the hospital’s highest priorities.

She said Hunter New England Local Health District would investigate the incident.