Cancer patient 'assaulted, robbed, forced to hand over PIN' in hospital

A woman has been charged after an elderly cancer patient was allegedly assaulted and robbed in a Sydney hospital.

On March 16, a 77-year-old woman attended the Hospital for Specialist Surgery in Bella Vista, in the city's northwest, for a routine procedure.

After surgery, the patient was returned to her room to recover.

It’s alleged a 45-year-old nurse, Percy McCarthy, entered the woman’s room and went through the patient’s property, removing two credit cards from her wallet.

It’s alleged McCarthy physically restrained the woman while demanding the PIN numbers to the credit cards.

The patient allegedly complied and told her the codes.

It is alleged McCarthy then withdrew $1000 from the victim’s bank account at a nearby shopping centre.

The alleged victim has suffered deep tissue bruising to her arms, legs, neck and chest.

This morning, officers arrested a woman at Bungarribee.

She was charged with aggravated robbery, knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime, and dishonestly obtain financial advantage.

She was granted bail, with the magistrate noting she had no history of violence and was unlikely to receive a custodial sentence.

McCarthy will remain behind bars tonight however, despite the granted bail, as she was unable to surrender her passport as part of those conditions. SHe has also been barred from entering hospitals or providing medical services.