The ACT government will launch an inquiry into the embattled Dhulwa Mental Health Unit after nurses reported more than 100 physical assaults at the facility in recent months.
Minister for Mental Health Emma Davidson said the independent inquiry would investigate and review legislative, clinical and governance policies at the facility.
The inquiry announcement comes following pressure from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, which publicly sounded alarm about conditions for staff at the facility last month.
The federation's ACT branch secretary Matthew Daniel warned of an impending "catastrophic event" at the facility, saying he was seriously concerned a nurse could lose their life.
Last month alone, one nurse suffered a fracture at Dhulwa and another had part of their finger severed after a patient had vigorously pushed a door closed on their hand.
This came after nurses had recorded more than 100 physical assaults in the six months to February this year.
Nurses also felt there was a blame culture in management and as a result they did not report all assaults as they felt they would be blamed for violent incidents.
WorkSafe ACT issued improvement and prohibition notices to Canberra Health Services for Dhulwa following reports of violence.
The workplace safety watchdog's notices showed inspectors believed there had been contraventions of the Work Health and Safety Act.
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation had called for an urgent inquiry into the facility, and were supported by the Canberra Liberals, but the government was non-committal at first.
However, Ms Davidson publicly expressed the desire to speak with the union about the possibility of an inquiry a couple of weeks ago.
The Minister for Mental Health said there had since been work with the union, nurses and Canberra Health Services around what the terms of reference should be for the inquiry.
Ms Davidson said the inquiry would be independently chaired and would be aimed at addressing the immediate issues that have been raised at Dhulwa.
"Our nurses should feel safe, support and confident at work so they can deliver the best possible care across our health system," she said.
"Following the recent incidents at Dhulwa, it is clear more must be done to ensure nurses feel safe.
"Staff and the ANMF have asked for the inquiry to be conducted quickly and with a clear and focused terms of reference so nurses are heard and findings are operationalised in a timely manners that supports a safer workplace culture.
"We are now finalising the terms of reference with the ANMF nurses and Canberra Health Services and selecting an independent chair for the inquiry.
"The pathway forward to established the inquiry, conduct it, and operationalise the findings will involve staff input so we can achieve the best outcomes for their workplace and safety."
Mr Daniel said last month the union would continue to heap pressure on the government until they called an inquiry, saying that nothing less would be acceptable.
He welcomed the establishment of the inquiry and said it responded to concerns aired by members of the union.
"The establishment of the independent inquiry demonstrates that the government is serious about listening to nurses and acting to keep them safe," Mr Daniel said.
Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee has also publicly supported a push for an inquiry.
"With the ongoing escalation of violence that we're seeing, with the ongoing violence that has been directed at our nurses, this situation cannot continue," she said last month.
"If this Minister for Mental Health is serious about the safety of our nurses she must agree to an independent inquiry."
The inquiry will hold call for submissions and hold inquiries. It will also be informed by recommendations from the WorkSafe ACT review, a Human Rights Commission review and an independent clinical mental health review.
