The figures don’t lie - violence involving hospital patients in South Australia is on the rise, with an average of 36 Code Black incidents a day.
Nurses and health care staff are being punched, kicked, spat at, bitten, strangled, even threatened with bowel movements. In one incident this year a Modbury nurse was almost killed. Knocked unconscious, she had to be revived with CPR, after being found with no pulse, not breathing and turning purple.
“We are proud of the strong and sustained actions taken by our members to help stamp out violence against health care professionals,’’ ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj. Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM said.
“Member campaigns and vigorous negotiations by the ANMF (SA Branch) team have helped to bring about changes to legislation and commitments from SA Health that enhance safety in our working environments across all levels.
“We will continue to work with our members to ensure that issues pertaining to violence are urgently and comprehensively addressed.
“Nurses, midwives and personal care workers all deserve to feel safe at work.’’