Hospital staff commended for their bravery after tackling a man trying to kill a nurse have been thanked by Monmouth MP David Davies.
Royston Jones charged into the intensive care unit at Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny last September. Bare-chested and intoxicated on drugs, he strangled estranged wife Claire until she was unconscious. But her colleagues heroically fought him off, saving her life and protecting the critically-ill patients on the ward.
Jones, 39, from Brynmawr, was later convicted of attempted murder at Newport Crown Court and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The 12 hospital workers were given Good Citizen Awards during a special ceremony at Gwent Police headquarters in July.
Following the violent incident, David Davies MP raised concerns on behalf of worried staff members. He said the gravity of what happened had caused “real fear” amongst staff for their safety and urged Aneurin Bevan Health Board to look at introducing tighter security.
All sites run by the health board subsequently underwent a security and delivery review. £120,000 in funding was made available to boost security at Nevill Hall Hospital, including improved CCTV and the introduction of security guards at nights and weekends.
During a visit to the hospital on Tuesday afternoon (22 September) Mr Davies met with staff involved in helping their colleague and viewed the new security measures.
“Their actions that day went above and beyond the call of duty and I was delighted to thank them in person for their selfless acts of bravery,” he said.
“I really appreciate the fantastic job that everyone working at Nevill Hall Hospital does. I’m told it has been a stressful and emotional time for all concerned, which is why it is vital staff have a safe working environment where they feel protected.
“I was therefore pleased to hear the physical presence of security is proving to be a success and staff can now move forward.”