Kiama MP Gareth Ward has called for an urgent inquiry into NSW Police’s treatment of people living with cognitive impairment and decline following an incident in Cooma involving a 95 year old dementia patient last week.

NSW Police were called to the Yallambee Lodge nursing home on Wednesday to attend to resident Clare Nowland, who suffers from dementia, who police say was holding a serrated knife and slowly approaching police with a walking frame.

Police tasered Clare, who hit her head and is now in a critical condition in hospital receiving end-of-life care.

The incident has sparked a national conversation about the use of police force when dealing with vulnerable members of the community, a conversation that Gareth Ward wants to bring to Parliament.

“I’m calling for a parliamentary inquiry to examine the training provided to police and first responders in how they manage people with dementia or a disability,” Mr Ward said in a press release.

Mr Ward made it clear that he wasn’t looking for a “witch hunt” into how NSW Police dealt with the scenario.

“This inquiry should review if police and our frontline emergency services across the state have access to adequate training to do their job and keep society’s most vulnerable safe.

“I’m urging the premier to support this inquiry and set aside his differences by working with me to find solutions and that strengthen education around those living with a disability or dementia.”

The State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad has also begun a critical incident investigation, and criminal action could be taken against the police involved.