12 September 2022
ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM visited Port Lincoln Hospital today to thank members, worksite reps and the broader Port Lincoln community for their magnificent work in helping to achieve 24/7 security for the hospital.
Due to the sustained advocacy of the ANMF (SA Branch), its members and the local community, the State Government has committed to 24/7 restraint-trained security guards to protect Port Lincoln nurses and midwives from violence and aggression.
It is understood 24/7 security guards will be introduced next month.
“We applaud the Minister for Health and Wellbeing Chris Picton for listening to us about the concerns of the nurses and midwives working in Port Lincoln,” Ms Dabars said.
“Unfortunately, we saw no action from the former Marshall Government on this very serious matter, so we are relieved that our ongoing campaign has finally brought about some much-needed change.
“A review of security at Whyalla and Port Augusta hospitals has found due to a multi-factorial approach of staff education, appropriate Code Black policies and the introduction of restraint-trained security guards, that there has been a decrease in the number of violent incidents and psychological injury facing staff.
“We are optimistic there will now be peace of mind for nurses and midwives working in Port Lincoln.”
The ANMF (SA Branch) shone the spotlight on security at regional hospitals after staff, undertaking their duties as nurses and midwives, were attacked, causing significant physical and psychological injury.
“Earlier this year the ANMF (SA Branch) launched a campaign calling on members and the Port Lincoln community to join our petition urging hospital management and politicians to instate 24/7 security guards,” Ms Dabars said.
“The petition signatures exceeded 1,500 in a matter of days, highlighting the community’s genuine concern for their health workers.”
The ANMF (SA Branch) will also be involved in an ongoing security review for the Eyre and Far North Local Health Network.
“Despite securing 24/7 guards for Port Lincoln, we will continue to work for the implementation of our 10-point plan to combat violence and aggression. It will make sure that any workplace design goes to prevent violence, that people are educated on how to handle the issues, and that the issues are, in fact, taken seriously by management and executives,’’ Ms Dabars said.
“Labor committed to the 10-point plan prior to the election and we have established a work plan with the Department for Health and Wellbeing for its implementation in all health networks.’’