Violent Night at Nowy Targ Emergency Ward: Two Police Interventions

Police intervened twice at the Nowy Targ hospital emergency department during a single night, as a 68-year-old patient assaulted a medic and a 34-year-old man threatened medical staff.

Assault on Emergency Staff

The first incident involved a 68-year-old patient who allegedly insulted and physically assaulted a paramedic. According to Nowy Targ police, the woman grabbed the medic’s arm while shouting vulgarities.

Assistant Superintendent Łukasz Burek confirmed that a formal complaint regarding physical assault has been filed. The 68-year-old was not detained due to her current state of health and remained at the emergency department.

Threats from Intoxicated Patient

Simultaneously, a 34-year-old intoxicated man from the Nowy Targ municipality triggered a disturbance, screaming and issuing threats toward medical personnel. Police transported the man to a holding cell.

After he sobered up, officers issued a fine. Medical staff cleared the man for release from the facility, stating he did not require further hospitalization.

Pattern of Violence in Local Hospitals

These incidents follow a June 27 event where a 48-year-old man struck a nurse and kicked a paramedic at the same unit; he now faces up to three years in prison. Last December, an intoxicated 65-year-old was arrested for physically assaulting a nurse.

Stricter Penalties for Attacking Medical Personnel

New regulations enacted in January increase potential prison sentences for assaulting emergency responders, police, or firefighters to five years. The Ministry of Justice has also extended legal protections to private citizens who intervene in public situations.

Aggressive behavior in public spaces such as hospitals can now lead to arrest, restriction of liberty, or fines ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 PLN. Authorities emphasized that public prosecutors will now handle cases involving verbal abuse against staff, removing the burden from the victims.