As Gayle’s Law comes into effect in SA from July 1, her family continue campaign for national version of the law

A state law named after murdered nurse Gayle Woodford will take effect on July 1 – but her family says their campaign for a national version must continue.

Escalating levels of violence from ice users has prompted renewed calls from the family of murdered Outback nurse Gayle Woodford for a national law in her honour.

A South Australian-based Gayle’s Law will take effect on July 1, more than three years after the nurse was murdered while working in the remote APY community of Fregon in April 2016.

In a statement to The Advertiser, the family, including Gayle’s husband Keith, daughter Alison and son Gary, have welcomed the rubber stamping of the new state law.

“It’s been a sad journey for the family and a long time coming,” the statement said.

“It brings us comfort to know, that all rural and remote healthcare workers will now have a greater level of protection in their workplace in South Australia, as the new laws are rolled out.”

The Woodford family has raised concerns the drug ice was continuing to put workers in regional Australia at risk.

On June 1, the Sunday Mail revealed ice was increasing in potency and decreasing in price in regional SA, with doses of more than 50 per cent purity available for less than the cost of alcohol.

“It seems there is a new ‘epidemic’ and a new escalating level of violence, which is putting all first responders and healthcare workers at risk,” the family said.

“Especially in remote areas where the risk is accentuated because often, there is limited security and no police available. There is no vaccine for this epidemic, so it must be treated with protective laws.”

Gayle and Keith Woodford. Picture: Supplied by family

In June 2017, Ms Woodford’s killer Dudley Davey was jailed for life with a non-parole term of 32 years.

At the time, the Supreme Court heard Davey, who had previously attacked at least five women, including two other nurses, was high on methylamphetamine, more commonly known as ice, when he attacked Ms Woodford.

Under Gayle’s Law, health workers in remote areas must be accompanied by a second person, known as a second responder, when responding to out-of-hours or unscheduled call-outs for emergency treatment. The second responder attends call-outs with the health practitioner to reduce the risk of personal attack.

SA Health Minster Stephen Wade said Mrs Woodford was a dedicated and well-respected nurse who worked tirelessly for some of the most disadvantaged Outback communities.

“As a Government, we have a mandate to minimise the risks posed to health practitioners working in isolated areas – whose work can be both rewarding and challenging. These practitioners are the first responders for emergency medical treatment,” he said.

Mr Wade paid tribute to the Woodford family, which has campaigned tirelessly for the law, including the “neveralone” hashtag on social media.

“I hope that Gayle’s Law will ensure that no other family will to go through the terror they have had to endure,” he said.

Similar schemes modelled on Gayle’s Law are in place in the Northern Territory and Queensland, although in neither of those jurisdictions has legislation been passed to enshrine the protective measures.

A spokesman for federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said states and territories were primarily responsible for the safety and security of health professionals working in remote locations.

“Through the COAG Health Council, the Australian Government continues to engage with state and territory governments on this issue,” he said.

The Woodford family said they would continue to lobby the Federal Government to have Gayle’s Law recognised and implemented in all states and territories of Australia.

“We will not rest until Gayle’s Law is made national,” they said.