“Exceptional courage shown” by GP surgery staff when police officer attacked by patient

It was a busy morning in a West Yorkshire doctor's surgery when a shocking and violent incident erupted, which saw two GPs and a nurse spring into action to save a police officer as he was viciously attacked by a patient.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Now health staff from the GP surgery have won police bravery awards - and been shortlisted for a second honour - after their actions undoubtedly prevented serious injury or worse.

It was November last year when police were called to the Lofthouse Surgery in Wakefield, when a male patient was suffering a mental health crisis, causing alarm for staff and people in the surgery.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But when a police officer arrived at the scene, the man dramatically attacked him in a corridor in a sustained and bloody assault punching his head, face and body.

Dr Catherine Lloyd, Dr Ian Sanderson, Nurse Tina Riordan and member of the public Melanie Smith, receive their District Chief Superintendent's Commendations from Chief Supt Steve Cotter, of West Yorkshire Police.Dr Catherine Lloyd, Dr Ian Sanderson, Nurse Tina Riordan and member of the public Melanie Smith, receive their District Chief Superintendent's Commendations from Chief Supt Steve Cotter, of West Yorkshire Police.
Dr Catherine Lloyd, Dr Ian Sanderson, Nurse Tina Riordan and member of the public Melanie Smith, receive their District Chief Superintendent's Commendations from Chief Supt Steve Cotter, of West Yorkshire Police.

The patient had to be dragged away by Dr Ian Sanderson, Dr Catherine Lloyd and Nurse Tina Riordan.

Fearing for the officer’s welfare, Melanie Smith, a member of the public, then grabbed the officer by his utility belt and dragged him to safety, using her bodily force to wedge a door closed, preventing the man from continuing the attack.

Karen Nicholson, practice manager at the Lofthouse Surgery, said: “What started out as a normal day, soon changed due to a dramatic and potentially life-threatening situation.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The patient who was upset was taken to a separate consultation room for his safety and that of our patients. We then called the police but the sight of a police officer further enraged this individual who then attacked the officer.

Melanie Smith, a member of the public who stepped into help during the violent incident at the Lofthouse Surgery, in Wakefield.Melanie Smith, a member of the public who stepped into help during the violent incident at the Lofthouse Surgery, in Wakefield.
Melanie Smith, a member of the public who stepped into help during the violent incident at the Lofthouse Surgery, in Wakefield.

“Two GPs and a nurse had to intervene and pull him away. Other colleagues were in genuine fear for their wellbeing hiding under couches and locking doors.”

The team from the surgery and Melanie Smith received a District Chief Superintendent's Commendation at the Leeds District policing Awards, held at the University of Leeds, where Chief Inspector Jayne Addy said: “These awards are in recognition of your bravery whilst coming to the aid of a police officer who required assistance with a violent male.

"Your swift actions no doubt prevented the officer from suffering serious injury."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mrs Nicholson said no two days at the surgery were ever the same, but the events of that particular day would remain in their memory for a long time.

Dr Catherine Lloyd and Dr Ian Sanderson, of the Lofthouse Surgery in Wakefield, who received police bravery awards for their actionsDr Catherine Lloyd and Dr Ian Sanderson, of the Lofthouse Surgery in Wakefield, who received police bravery awards for their actions
Dr Catherine Lloyd and Dr Ian Sanderson, of the Lofthouse Surgery in Wakefield, who received police bravery awards for their actions

She added: “We still had a duty to protect our patients. My colleagues very bravely and very calmly evacuated the building while more police with dogs arrived.

“It is no exaggeration to say that we were all scared and many were wondering if they would see their children again. The team here gave no thought to themselves and just went to look after the police officer who needed them.

“They showed exceptional courage during a highly volatile incident.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I am so proud of each and every one of them. Nurse Riordan has worked for the NHS for 48 years and has never seen violence like that. And I’ve never seen bravery like that.”

"What is truly remarkable is that we still got on with the business in hand. Once the situation had been contained, all colleagues pitched in to clean up the GP practice - including wiping the blood off the walls.

"We then carried on doing what we do best, caring for our patients. All people working in the NHS are unsung heroes in their own right but this was a truly remarkable day where we saw the commitment and dedication of hard working professionals, from our clinical staff through to our reception team."

The team from Lofthouse Surgery has also been nominated in the ‘emergency response’ category of the Yorkshire Evening Post Health Awards, which take place on 6 December at Elland Road stadium.