THE lack of on-site security personnel at Mount Gambier Hospital has again fuelled concerns following a potentially “frightening” incident at its busy emergency department.
The renewed calls for tighter security follows a 49-year-old Mount Gambier man being arrested at the emergency department on Saturday night for disorderly behaviour and resisting police.
According to police, the man was allegedly naked, abusive to staff and has been bailed to appear in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court early next month.
The incident has triggered an influential state doctors union to weigh into the issue and call for on-site security personnel to be swept in.
South Australian Salaried Medical Officers Association senior industrial officer Bernadette Mulholland said on-site security personnel was paramount for the safety of the hospital’s medical workforce and patients.
“It is important for staff and patients to feel safe,” said Ms Mulholland, who explained emergency departments could be unpredictable environments.
She said this unpredictability was often fuelled by drugs and alcohol as well as other health issues.
“Emergency departments can be dangerous places. The hospital administration needs to ensure the emergency department is secured,” Ms Mulholland said.
She said it was also important to note police could be tied up at other jobs when these events unfolded.
A resident – who wanted to maintain anonymity and was at the hospital during the incident – told The Border Watch it was “frightening” and called on the hospital to have 24-hour security personnel.
She warned these types of incidents – which were not isolated – placed doctors and nurses at potential risk.
“The emergency department bays were full and there were around 20 people in the waiting area – I was quite scared,” the eyewitness claimed.
“It took police around 20 minutes to arrive, anything could have happened during that time.”
She said it was “unacceptable” doctors and nurses were not protected working within the department from potentially violent situations.
Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell said security issues at the facility had been ongoing problem and a solution was needed.
“I will raise this issue in State Parliament,” said Mr Bell, who has been vocal on the matter.
He said the community wanted to see action on the issue.
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation SA Branch chief executive officer Adj Associate Elizabeth Dabars said violence within the health sector could not be tolerated.
“Violence in any setting is completely unacceptable, particularly when it is targeted at nurses and health care professionals dedicated to caring for others,” Ms Dabars said.
“We continue to support our members affected by the increasing levels of violence and are committed to working with the government on ways to improve safety for both staff and patients in hospitals across the state.”
Country Health SA South East acting regional director Kylie Williams yesterday stood by the hospital’s security arrangements.
She confirmed there were no on-site permanent security staff employed at the facility.
“Our hard-working doctors and nurses do a tremendous job caring for our community, sometimes under difficult circumstances,” Ms Williams said.
“We take pride in being a safe and secure hospital and any incident that impacts on the health and welfare of our staff is taken very seriously and is always inexcusable.”
Ms Williams said the hospital had a number of arrangements in place to ensure the safety and well-being of patients and staff, including restricted access after-hours and a secure car park for staff.
This includes video surveillance, secure swipe card access to non-public external doors, duress alarms and other hospital systems available to call additional staff to help with de-escalation and management of a situation.
“All hospital staff are trained in techniques to manage such situations ensuring patient safety,” Ms Williams said.
“Private security officers provide services in the emergency department waiting room on occasion and our staff know to call SA Police when they are needed to intervene in situations.”
Health Minister Stephen Wade declined to comment on the issue.
