By Tate Papworth
Assaults on two doctors at Sunshine Hospital in the space of a week have prompted Western Health to issue a public safety warning and increase security.
A doctor was attacked while walking to his parked car on Monday afternoon.
He said he was approached by four men of African appearance, believed to be aged in their late teens to early twenties.
They assaulted the doctor and stole his bag, which contained his wallet and other items.
He returned to the hospital for treatment with non life-threatening injuries.
It follows a similar incident where a junior doctor was brutally assaulted while leaving work at the hospital at 11pm on Tuesday.
In a post to a Sunshine Hospital group the doctor said four men assaulted him and threatened him with a knife.
He was forced to take the group to his car, which the men stole.
“I am upset and angry what happened to me,” the doctor posted. “But I am more upset how my case has been handled by Western Health as they have not notified my incident to all the staff members at Western health.”
Western Health took to Facebook to issue a safety warning to all Sunshine Hospital staff, volunteers, patients and visitors following the second assault.
“Please be advised that a serious assault on a Western Health staff member occurred this afternoon near the Sunshine Hospital site,” the statement said.
“This is the second such assault in less than a week. As a result, there is now an increased security presence in place on site. Police are pursuing investigations into the assaults.
“We are seeking further advice from police but we urge you to consider your safety and be acutely aware of your surroundings if you are walking to or from the site.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
