15 March 2023
The ANMF (SA Branch) has achieved a Work, Health and Safety (WHS) win for member and patients at the Lyell McEwin Hospital.
As part of the hospital’s COVID response, the Stroke/Neuro Ward was relocated to a different area to allow COVID patients access to single rooms for infection control purposes.
However, members raised serious concerns about the suitability of its new home in Ward 1A, including a lack of space and potential risk of injury to staff.
The ANMF (SA Branch) escalated these concerns with the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) management and ensured a WHS risk assessment was undertaken.
The assessment found that the relocation had impacted the ability of staff in the Stroke/Neuro Ward to safely use equipment – resulting in more hands-on transfers and increased risk of body stress, slips, trips and falls. It also compromised staff’s ability to provide safe assistance to patients with reduced mobility.
We are pleased to report that NALHN is acting on the recommendations within the assessment and moving stroke/neuro patients back to the ward’s original home.
Consultation with members will begin in the next couple of months to ensure a smooth transition.
“Well done to our Lyell McEwin members whose vigilance and advocacy has resulted in a great outcome for the safety of staff and patients,’’ ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM said.
“By working and standing together we can continue to make positive contributions to our health care environments, for the benefit of both patients and staff alike.’’