The state's nursing union is "appalled and disgusted" that a lack of security at some South Australian regional hospitals leaves staff exposed to violent and aggressive attacks by patients.
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation's SA branch chief executive, Adjunct Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars, said the union received reports of violence directed towards its members on a daily basis.
"It's unbelievable, it's shameful and the government really needs to step in and force the hand of these local health networks."
Dr Dabars comments follow yesterday's sentencing of 52-year-old Mount Gambier man Daniel Peter Schenk, who was jailed for assaulting two nurses during an incident at the Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service last year.
Schenk grabbed a female nurse by the wrists and pushed her before running at a male nurse and placing him in a headlock.
The incident triggered a code black call for distress and police attended to find several hospital staff restraining Schenk in the emergency department.
Nurses fear abuse 'every day'
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation's SA branch chief executive, Adjunct Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars, said incidents of aggression occurred regularly and the fear among hospital staff was palpable.
"That means the government is culpable for any abuse that they receive in the workplace, and for any violence or abuse that anyone else gets."
Dr Dabars said the situation was a scourge on the Health Department.
"We're absolutely sick to the back teeth of politicians stepping up, both state and federal, from [Prime Minister Scott] Morrison down, encouraging women to speak up against abuse, yet in the hospitals and health settings across South Australia they are going to work every day, fearful of being abused."
Safety for some, but not all
Hospitals in Port Augusta and Whyalla recently announced 24/7 security in their emergency departments.
Dr Dabars said that if permanent security officers to protect staff were being employed at those hospitals, why weren't they being hired at the Mount Gambier and Port Lincoln hospitals?
A Limestone Coast Health Network spokesperson said private security officers provided services in the Mount Gambier emergency department "on occasion or during periods of high demand".
However, the safety of both staff and patients was the network's first priority.
"We have a number of arrangements in place at the Mount Gambier Hospital to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our patients and staff, including restricted access after-hours and a secure car park for staff."
But Dr Dabars said the existing systems were not adequate.
"There is an absolute legal obligation on the employer to provide people with safe systems of work," she said.
"It's not on and it's got to stop"
