Hidden camera films alleged abuse of hospital patient in Australia

The nurse at the centre of a case of alleged patient abuse in Victoria, that was caught on camera, has been stood down, news.com.au reports.

The 30-year-old nurse is being investigated for a number of alleged assaults of patient Billy Aivaliotis, 33, Victoria Police have confirmed.

The nurse has been interviewed and was released pending further inquiries, a spokeswoman said.

The footage filmed on January 22 shows Mr Aivaliotis being grabbed by the throat and shoved roughly down on to a bed. His family suspected some sort of abuse was occurring because Mr Aivaliotis had been seen with several unexplained bruises, and had lost a lot of weight, so they set up a hidden camera in his room at Caulfield Hospital.

Family members say they complained to the hospital but were ignored — so they handed the footage to police and to Melbourne newspaper The Herald Sun.

Mr Aivaliotis suffers from cerebral palsy and was also hit by a car last year where he sustained a major brain injury. His condition means he isn't able to talk or communicate with anyone.

His family has begun legal action against the hospital.

3AW broadcaster Neil Mitchell said on Today this morning: "This guy should not be a nurse."

Mitchell said he could understand the frustration and anger "boiling over".

"He should lose registration and not work again as a nurse. Nurses are great people.
Famous for their patience and decency. If you can't handle it get out."

More to come.