Flinders Private Hospital nurses raise safety concerns over temporary footpath closure
Flinders Private Hospital staff were being forced to walk down a dark path to access their cars because of work on the $125 million Flinders Link Rail Project.
SouthÂ
Don't miss out on the headlines from South . Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Nurse attacked at Lyell McEwin Hospital
- Prizes, discounts, freebies: Check out the latest subscriber rewards
Nurses at Flinders Private Hospital have been forced to walk along a dimly-lit path to access their cars while work is undertaken on the Flinders Link Rail Project.
A footpath, along Main South Rd in Bedford Park, used by the hospital staff to reach the carpark has been closed for three weeks to allow for work on the $125 million project.
Staff had been instructed to walk along another path with only one light to access the carpark, bounded by Laffer Drive, Main South Rd and Sturt Rd.
One nurse, who requested to be anonymous, said she was afraid for her and her colleagues safety when walking through the area.
“We already have to walk over Main South Rd and now we have to walk a bit further in very dark conditions and often we are on our own,” she said.
“We’re over on Sturt Rd in a dingy little carpark – last week someone said be careful because there is a lot of nails around – and I know of nurses that have been stalked.
“We still have to pay for the privilege of parking – we have had a massive hike (in parking fees) – and now we can’t even walk down (the footpath) we have to go the back way.”
She said there was one street light on Laffer Drive but that the State Government had said it would install more.
In a Facebook post sighted by The Messenger, Flinders Private Hospital urged staff to “exercise caution” when walking or driving in the area.
In response to questions from The Messenger, the Transport Department said the footpath to the carpark would now only be closed during the day.
“The pedestrian pathway along Main South Rd from the carpark to the intersection of Flinders Drive and Main South Rd will be reopened daily at the end of each shift for use at night time,” a government spokesman said.
“Additional lighting has also been installed along Laffer Drive.
“The project team has liaised with both Flinders Private Hospital and Flinders Medical Centre to update them on these changes.”
Cr explodes over proposed fireworks ban calling it an ‘Osama Green Laden’ policy
Hurtle Vale Labor MP Nat Cook, herself a registered nurse, said the “disregard” for nurses and hospital staff’s safety was “simply not good enough.”
“We have seen serious assaults and threats to the safety of nurses and other hospital staff in the past year and the State Government must do better to protect our hospital workers.
“The change to the route they must take was done with less than 24 hours notice from the Transport Department.”
Earlier this week, a nurse was attacked outside the Lyell McEwin Hospital by a patient who escaped from the facility’s mental health unit.
Flinders Private Hospital has been approached for comment.