Three nurses have been attacked by a patient at a forensic mental health facility in Adelaide, according to the nurse's union.
The SA branch of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) said the incident occurred at James Nash House, in the north-eastern suburb of Oakden, on Monday when the nurses and two security guards were cleaning food items from a patient's room.
All three nurses required treatment from an urgent care clinic, according to the union.
The union's SA chief executive officer, Elizabeth Dabars, said it would be "escalating the issue with SafeWork SA" and had requested a management plan for the patient allegedly involved.
In a statement, SA Health said it was focusing on supporting all affected staff.
"We have zero tolerance of violence and aggression against our staff and their safety is our highest priority," the statement said.
"We continue to engage with unions including the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation on the 10-point plan to End Violence and Aggression in the workplace."
SA Health said the incident was being investigated.
The union said it also conducted a "right of entry" at the Brain Injury Rehab Unit at the Repatriation Health Precinct (REPAT) this week, following concerns of violence and staff fatigue.
The union said it observed a lack of personal duress alarms for staff members during their inspection.
"The Central Adelaide Local Health Network — which is responsible for the management of the Brain Injury Rehab Unit at REPAT — has assured [us] it will rectify this issue after it was raised immediately by ANMF (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation) SA Branch representatives during Tuesday's visit," Professor Dabars said.
The union said it also made a third visit this week — to Calvary Central Districts Hospital — after members "expressed concerns around fatigue and unsafe systems of work". It said it would continue to work with hospital management.
