"Disruptive Patient causing stress"

During my admission to the ward recently i was in alot of pain and was very stressed and sick. Another patient came in the next day later and was put in the bed opposite mine. I felt they displayed highly disruptive behaviour throughout the day and night. I recall they were verbally abusive toward nursing staff, yelling and swearing repeatedly, and this continued until approximately 3am. As a patient who was unwell and in pain, the lack of sleep and ongoing disturbance caused me significant distress — as it did for the other patients around me im sure, as this patient was so loud .

When I asked the patient to please keep the noise down so we could all sleep, they responded with aggressive and offensive language directed at me. The patient then woke again at 6:30am yelling obscene language and again targeting me as i told themto be quiet from that night which caused me further anxiety and upset.

As a result of the sustained stress and sleep deprivation, I suffered an anxiety attack.

I was also informed by nursing staff that this patient was known to be as a frequent visitor. If this is the case, I would question why a behaviour management plan was not already in place to minimise the impact on other vulnerable patients sharing the ward about 13 of us.

I understand that patients with mental health conditions require compassionate care, and I have no wish to minimise that. However, I believe the situation was not managed in a way that protected the other vulnerable patients in the ward, including myself i hope i never have to go there for care again i was more stressed when i left.

I note that Geraldton Regional Hospital has a Zero Tolerance policy regarding disruptive behaviour. I would appreciate clarification on how this policy applies when the impact is on patients, and what procedures are in place to manage such situations more promptly in future.