A national advocacy group says nurses are experiencing violence every day, as a South Australian regional hospital repairs doors that were smashed during an incident earlier this week.
Australian College of Nursing chief executive and adjunct professor Kylie Ward said she was hearing concerns from nurses across the country about how to deliver care while maintaining their safety.
"There's not a nurse that I've spoken to anywhere in my travels that hasn't experienced some sort of occupational violence," she said.
"The challenge for the nursing profession is balancing our duty of care … but needing to deliver care when people don't cope, or they [healthcare workers] are being attacked."
Calls for better security
South Australian Police were called to the Riverland General Hospital in Berri earlier this week after reports a patient was attempting to punch staff and throw chairs at them.
The hospital's glass emergency doors were also broken.
SA Health statistics show six code blacks — a call request for urgent or emergency assistance — were declared across the Riverland, Mallee and Coorong Local Health Network from January to the end of April.
Across metropolitan and regional hospitals, 4,088 code blacks were called during the same period, 82 of which were attended to by SAPOL.
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) SA branch chief officer Elizabeth Dabars said such events could be traumatising for the nurses involved.
"The trauma extends beyond the actual event itself," she said.
"I certainly know the members at the Riverland regional health service feel deeply affected by this.
"They really feel like their employer is simply not paying adequate regard to them."
The union has been campaigning for the Riverland General Hospital, alongside three other regional hospitals, to have 24/7 onsite security guards.
Petitions signed by thousands
Petitions supporting the proposal at the Berri and Murray Bridge hospitals have received nearly 1,000 signatures, while those at the Wallaroo and Port Pirie hospitals have received nearly 2,000.
Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network (RMCLHN) chief executive Wayne Champion said staff had 24/7 access to on-call security guards rather than security that remained onsite
"It is a judgement call. Is it worth having 24/7 paid security staff at a cost of three shifts a day, seven days a week at $375,000 or potentially $400,000 a year?" he said.
"This is for [around] 12 security incidents a year that are usually relatively short in duration."
Federal Minister for Health Mark Butler said all health professionals including nurses hade the right to work in a safe and healthy environment.
"The government recognises that safety and security of the nursing workforce is a major concern and is committed to working with stakeholders to support and promote safe working environments across the health sector," he said.
