beta.kpix.com/news/local/2003/11/22/Workers_Worried_About_Safety_After_Death_of_Doctor_at_Psych_Hospital.html

Workers Worried About Safety After Death of Doctor at Psych Hospital

Sue McGuire for KCBS-740 AM

(KCBS)--The death of a popular doctor at Alameda County's John George Psychiatric Hospital has further traumatized workers who say they have always worried about their personal safety.

KCBS reporter Bob Butler in San Leandro says Dr. Erlinda Ursua was killed Wednesday allegedly by a patient she was treating.

Linda Joseph is with the SEIU Local 616, which represents many of the workers at the center. "They're telling us that they're angry, that they're frustrated, that they're outraged that the grief is inconsolable and that something has to be done," about worker safety.

The union claims county budget cuts have resulted in a reduction in staffing levels at the hospital.

One nurse told Joseph she thinks it's worse than working in a prison. "If I was a nurse in a prison I would be escorted every place I went. I'd have at least two people escorting me. And she said I work in John George and the doctors can't even get an escort half the time."

Alameda County spokesperson Rachael Kagan says she understands the employee's concerns. "I'm sure it's creating a lot of anxiety and they deserve all the support that they can get. I would caution however making a conclusions about safety concerns and the death because we don't yet know what happened," Kagan said.

(WTF?!? - An unarmed and unprotected doctor was killed by a mental patient and you're cautioning about making conclusions about safety?!? What a fucking tool )

Police arrested Rene Pavon, 37, who was on 72-hour psychiatric hold at the hospital.

Pavon was sent to John George by San Leandro police Tuesday, after relatives called authorities and said she could be a danger to herself and others.

Apparently Ursua tried to give Pavon a physical on Wednesday, and they were in the examination room alone. Pavon weighs 170 lbs., and Ursua weighed less than 120 lbs