Angry patient shouted at hospital staff

Published on 05/12/2012 12:00

A PATIENT started swearing at staff in a hospital accident and emergency department because they were taking too long to treat him.

Shaan Hassan upset other patients at St John’s Hospital in Livingston by cursing and shouting during the early-morning disturbance.

Livingston Sheriff Court was told that Hassan’s only injury was a minor cut to his finger.

Stuart Houston, prosecuting, said: “He went to the main reception and asked how long he’d have to wait. He was told the triage nurse was with someone and he’d be attended to next.

“He seemed to take umbrage at that and began shouting and swearing.”

Mr Houston said police were called and they found Hassan, 25, had been drinking, but was not drunk and incapable.

Neil Robertson, defending, said his client had gone back to the hospital the following day and apologised personally to the staff involved.

Hassan, of Blackburn, West Lothian, pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at the hospital on October 12. Sheriff Douglas Kinloch fined him £265.