Security has been stepped up around Christchurch Hospital’s birthing centre after a staff member was reportedly assaulted following her shift last weekend.

Chris Lynch Media understands the woman had just finished work at the Antigua Street facility and was walking to her vehicle when she was attacked.

The incident did not occur off hospital property.

Health New Zealand’s Group Director of Operations for Waitaha Canterbury, Hamish Brown confirmed to chrislynchmedia.com they were aware of the incident.

“While we can’t comment specifically on the status of individuals, we can say the person involved continues to be well supported,” Brown said.

“As a precaution we have increased security measures in this part of the campus to ensure staff, and others who work here, get to their vehicles safely at night. We continue to remind staff and others to take appropriate safety precautions when they leave the hospital campus.”

Brown said the safety and wellbeing of staff and other workers was a critical part of delivering healthcare.

“We take violence and aggression seriously, and our people should expect to come to work and be safe. We encourage them to report all incidents of abuse and assault.”