18 September 2019
Earlier this week, MSS Security at Lyell McEwin Hospital began providing a manned vehicle to escort staff to their vehicles parked in the surrounding streets. The service is being made available from 7pm to 1am seven days a week and is restricted to a defined area around the hospital.
While the ANMF (SA Branch) of course welcomes a response to its long-held calls for additional security measures at the site, we remained concerned at the State Government’s continued piecemeal approach to safety rather than committing to an overarching plan that provides adequate protection to all public health care workers.
Putting an end to this disjointed approach is the purpose of the Ten-Point Plan to End Violence and Aggression. It is a planned, methodical guide that sets out ten critical focus areas and the raft of associated safety measures that need to be adopted across the State—not just in the car park at one site.
We are also concerned at reports that the Lyell McEwin Service is not being manned by an additional security guard, which means while the guard is off site providing a security vehicle escort, there will be no security presence watching other staff members walking to the multi-deck or Mark Road car parks.
We will continue to lobby and campaign the State Government to commit to a systemic plan to provide the protection you—and the community in your care—need and deserve.