Michelle Daw, Yorke Peninsula Country Times
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Foundation has slammed the state government and Yorke and Northern Local Health Network for its lack of urgency in responding to security concerns at Wallaroo Hospital.
The ANMF SA branch is calling for 24/7 restraint-trained guards to be employed at Wallaroo and Port Pirie hospitals, following recent “code black” incidents.
Police had to taser a man four times when he smashed through two sets of entry doors at Wallaroo Hospital and then attacked the back of an ambulance on February 14.
A police patrol was on site at the time after dealing with an aggressive, handcuffed patient who required sedation and they confronted the man who had smashed into the hospital.
When asked what was being done to address security concerns, a spokesperson for SA Health and YNLHN said a review had been completed and a working party formed, which would have input from frontline and management staff.
The working party will review security data and provide advice on potential improvements additional to those implemented earlier this year.
The spokesperson said security cameras at Wallaroo Hospital had been adjusted to cover all outdoor areas and strong, temporary doors were installed hours after the code black incident in February, along with other measures.
“We are considering all perspectives regarding restraint-trained security guards before making a decision on this matter,” she said.
“While we will share high level findings and actions on its completion, it would be inappropriate to share full details of the hospital’s security processes with the public.
“There have been three incidents since February 14 this year when staff reported some form of aggressive behaviour from consumers.
“No staff were harmed during any of these incidents.” ANMF SA branch chief executive Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars said the union had not received any formal correspondence or commitment from the YNLHN about its security review.
“It is completely unacceptable nurses, midwives, healthcare professionals and patients and visitors have been left vulnerable to violent and aggressive attacks for too long,” she said.
“There are very regular routine police call outs for various issues — for example, searching patients for weapons or dangerous objects, escorting abusive people off site.
“All health workers are entitled to a safe workplace where any incident of violence or aggression is taken seriously by management and executives.” A petition launched by ANMF in early March as part of its campaign for security guards to be employed at the two hospitals has since collected more than 1863 signatures.
“We are working with our members to determine what measures we will take in the next stage of our campaign, expected to be launched in the coming weeks,” Ms Dabars said.
The online petition can be signed at anmfsa.org.au/safetyforstaff.
This article appeared in the Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 23 May 2023.
