Police have charged a nurse with two counts of unlawful assault after he was caught on camera allegedly choking a patient with a brain injury at Caulfield Hospital. The media revealed shocking footage of the nurse allegedly abusing defenceless patient Billy Aivaliotis in his hospital bed on January 22. Caulfield Hospital immediately suspended the nurse, a 30-year-old Cranbourne West man, and launched a full investigation. The nurse no longer works at the hospital. A report ordered following the incident — published in July — made 26 recommendations, with Alfred Health promising to implement them by the end of the year. The nurse is due to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court for a contest mention on February 21 next year. Members of Mr Aivaliotis’ family hid a camera in a picture frame after they became concerned he was being abused. They said concerns they raised with hospital staff had fallen on deaf ears. Law firm Arnold Thomas and Becker, acting on behalf of Mr Aivaliotis, has launched civil proceedings against the hospital. The shocking footage shows a male nurse grabbing Mr Aivaliotis by the throat. Mr Aivaliotis, who was born with cerebral palsy, was struck by a vehicle on May 22 last year and suffered a significant brain injury and multiple leg and rib fractures. After treatment in the Royal Melbourne Hospital, he was transferred to Caulfield Hospital. But his family became concerned when he began losing weight and showing signs of bruising. They said they raised concerns about his treatment with hospital staff many times, but were dissatisfied with the response. “For months, we were totally ignored,” a family member said. “Billy fought for his life after the accident.” Footage captured at 8.06am on January 22 shows a nurse grabbing Mr Aivaliotis by the throat before moving him aggressively on to a bed. At 8.10am, the footage shows the nurse standing over Mr Aivaliotis as he attempts to clean him. The footage shows the nurse forcefully pushing Mr Aivaliotis in the neck or face area. The family said: “To leave a loved one in the care of a hospital and their staff demands total trust and support, which we were committed to. “After this devastating realisation, we have absolutely no faith in this broken and failed system of care. “We had to take matters into our own hands after zero action from the hospital. “Billy cannot voice his feelings. He is incapable of demonstrating his fears and concerns. His family is his voice, and we will do everything possible to ensure his safety and wellbeing.” A Cranbourne West man, 30, is due to face Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on February 21, for a contest mention hearing regarding two counts of unlawful assault.
