Nurse allegedly assaulted two colleagues while drunk

Iltalehti has reported that a nurse working at Tampere University Hospital allegedly assaulted two colleagues while intoxicated. Yle has confirmed with the Pirkanmaa Wellbeing Services County that the case is being investigated.

The alleged assault took place in June in an inpatient ward at Tampere University Hospital, known as TAYS.

According to Iltalehti, two nurses noticed that their colleague was behaving unusually. A nurse interviewed by the newspaper said the colleague became angry and attacked them after they asked whether the person was drunk. One nurse injured their wrist and the other suffered bruising, Iltalehti reported.

The nurse was breathalysed and removed from the hospital premises, according to the newspaper.

Aija Tuimala, human resources director at the Pirkanmaa Wellbeing Services County, told Yle that a case of this kind is being investigated. She said the employee was a short-term substitute, not a permanent employee of the county.

Tuimala said employees suspected of being intoxicated at work are always removed from the workplace to prevent situations that could endanger patients or clients. She said that procedure was also followed in this case and that the nurse did not work with patients.

Iltalehti reported that the alleged assault took place on June 17 but was not addressed internally until August 20. Tuimala said delays in handling cases can be caused by the holiday period, but added that the investigation had begun immediately in June.

She did not comment on whether the nurse is still working for the wellbeing services county.

Iltalehti also reported that a crime report had been filed with the police. Chief Detective Superintendent Pasi Nieminen told Yle that police had recorded a report concerning two assaults.