Arabic version: تقرير اتحاد التمريض عن تهديدات عنيفة يومية في مستشفى داروين
Nurses at the Royal Darwin Hospital are facing daily threats and violence, according to the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF). The union claims that staff are regularly assaulted while on duty, leading to heightened fears for their safety. The emergency department is reportedly operating at 150% capacity, exacerbating the situation.
According to ABC News, ANMF secretary Heidi Crisp highlighted that nurses are experiencing trauma due to these incidents. Reports indicate that police response times to emergencies at the hospital have been slow, with private security also taking too long to react to duress alarms.
NT Health chief executive Chris Hosking dismissed claims of a systemic security issue and stated that the department is taking staff safety seriously. He announced plans to enhance security measures, including real-time alerts for nurse team leaders when duress alarms are activated.
In response to the ongoing concerns, NT WorkSafe has begun an inquiry into the working conditions in the emergency department. The ANMF has also raised alarms about patient safety, citing dangerously low staff-to-patient ratios that could lead to severe consequences if not addressed.
Mr. Hosking acknowledged the capacity challenges faced by the hospital and mentioned upcoming additions of two new wards to alleviate pressure. However, he emphasized that a long-term solution, such as building a new hospital, is necessary to adequately serve the growing population in Darwin and the Top End.
