CCTV won't stop nurses being abused says union

And the introduction of extra closed-circuit TV cameras announced at the weekend would do little to make staff feel safer on the job, the Australian Nursing Federation said.

On the same day the state government announced $25,000 for BHS to improve safety and security for staff, the ANF launched a campaign calling on the Napthine government to fulfil a promise to spend $21 million to stop the violence in hospitals.

Health Minister David Davis said as part of a $5.8 million project over four years, $25,000 had been allocated to install additional CCTV cameras in the BHS emergency department and psychiatric unit, and new aluminium doors in the ED.

However, ANF (Victorian branch) secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick told The Courier the funding “didn’t cut the mustard” and would not stop the violence and aggression targeted at hospital staff.

Ms Fitzpatrick called for dedicated security staff for emergency departments and psychiatric units at all hospitals.

The ANF campaign is in response to a number of serious attacks on nurses in state hospitals and the fact that it is almost 18 months since the Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee handed down a comprehensive report and 39 recommendations to stop the violence in hospitals. 

“Nurses and midwives are being hit, punched, kicked, bitten, threatened with weapons and objects and are receiving death threats against themselves and their families,” Ms Fitzpatrick claimed.

The federation has called on the state government to implement the basic staff protections recommended by the Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee Inquiry into Violence and Security Arrangements in Victorian Hospitals in December 2011.

These measures include: implementing standardised code grey and code black responses; developing and implementing clinically-led aggression management policies and procedures; providing and monitoring education and training to prevent and manage violence and bullying; funding additional security personnel 24 hours a day, seven days a week; appointing occupational health and safety experts to the Improving Hospital Safety and Security Ministerial Advisory Committee; and ensuring there are no adverse consequences for nurses and midwives who speak out publicly about violence

 in the workplace.

ANF (Victoria) placed open letters to the Victorian community in metropolitan newspapers yesterday explaining why nurses and midwives felt politicians were not taking the high level of violence against hospital staff seriously.

The letter also asked for the public to sign an online petition calling for the implementation of the 39 recommendations.

Ballarat Health Services chief executive officer Andrew Rowe said BHS took staff safety seriously, even going as far as introducing a zero tolerance policy against violence about eight years ago.

“Code grey safety procedures have been fully established and an internal team responds to specific situations,” Mr Rowe said.

“We have also reviewed security arrangements, expanded CCTV coverage and provided duress alarms. The emergency department has also been redesigned to provide a safer environment for staff.”

To further curb anti-social behaviour towards staff, contracts have been put in place for problematic patients at BHS and occupational health and safety committees have been formed to advise on strategies to reduce violence and aggression against staff.

“It never ceases to amaze that a small number of community members behave in such an appalling way and abuse, threaten and assault staff who are there to help them,” Mr Rowe said.

kim.quinlan@fairfaxmedia.com.au