WA: Bashed mental nurse leaves hospital to begin rehabilitation

AAP General News (Australia)
04-21-2004
WA: Bashed mental nurse leaves hospital to begin rehabilitation

PERTH, April 21 AAP - A Perth psychiatric nurse who was left in a coma after a brutal
bashing by a patient has left hospital to move into a rehabilitation centre.

Debbie Freeman, 43, was left with serious head injuries after the attack at the mental
health unit of Swan Health Service on March 6, and had remained in Royal Perth Hospital
since then.

Today, Ms Freeman was moved to the acquired brain injury unit at the Shenton Park Campus
to begin the rehabilitation phase of her recovery.

"She is in a serious but stable condition and her brain injury has shown signs of some
recovery," a Royal Perth Hospital spokeswoman said.

Doctors say Ms Freeman is awake but not fully aware of her environment.

A 23-year-old man, Des Anzac Tarau, has not yet been deemed fit enough to plead to
charges of grievous bodily harm, resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer.

He is due in court again next month.

AAP tc/cjh/tnf

KEYWORD: NURSE

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