Modbury Hospital under fire as nurse assaulted using offsite parking despite union safety concerns

Modbury Hospital has come under fire after a nurse was allegedly assaulted while walking back to her car despite concerns by the nursing union about safety.

Staff safety has been called into question at Modbury Hospital after a nurse was assaulted while walking to her car.

The incident is alleged to have occurred while the nurse was walking to the Tea Tree Plaza Interchange Park’n’Ride after finishing her shift at Modbury Hospital around May 22.

It’s alleged the nurse was verbally abused by a group of youths before being elbowed forcefully in the chest.

The matter was reported to SAPOL and multiple heads of the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) notified.

The nurse had parked offsite due to building works at Modbury Hospital which has caused disruption to onsite parking for staff – with the temporary loss of 230 spaces.

Nursing staff were told they would need to park at offsite locations while construction was ongoing, including at the Interchange Park’n’Ride, St John XXIII Church, GP Plus Carpark and Woodleigh House.

Chief executive of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, Elizabeth Dabars, said Modbury Hospital failed to provide adequeste security for nurses forced to park offsite due to ongoing building works. Picture: David Mariuz

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation chief executive Elizabeth Dabars said while they approved the new mental health and rehabilitation services being built at Modbury Hospital, they had raised concerns back in May about the new offsite parking arrangements and their impact on staff safety.

“We have been strongly advocating for the implementation of security guards to escort members to the temporary off-site car parks over a 24-hour period – instead of being only available for four hours,” she said.

“As well as a shuttle bus to transport members to off-site parking to coincide with members finishing and early shift times.

“While our advocacy has had some effect as the security presence has been extended, we remain concerned that the extension is inadequate.”

Correspondence seen by The Advertiser shows the union saying NALHN rejected its recommendations.

One week later a nurse was physically assaulted.

A week after that, a female nurse had her bag snatched.

Despite the attacks, no changes have been made by the hospital but Ms Dabars said the union would continue to press for better safety measures.

“The next step is that we’re getting a group of concerned members to meet directly with management, to press upon them the reason for staff concerns,” she said.

“And to invite management to come and accompany our members in the dark … to understand our perspective and walk with us.”

Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Chris Picton said he’s extremely concerned.

“To hear about any of our hard-working staff being allegedly assaulted or abused, any act of violence of aggression is not tolerated and should face the full force of the law,” Mr Picton said.

Northern Adelaide Local Health Network Executive Director Corporate Services, Peter Mullen said that “the safety of our staff is our highest priority.”

“We have introduced additional security measures to support staff during the construction works at Modbury Hospital,” Mr Mullen said.

“Any attack or threat to a staff member is taken very seriously and we encourage and support staff to report incidents to police so appropriate action can be taken.

“We have introduced dedicated security who are available to escort staff from Modbury Hospital front entrance to the Modbury ‘Park and Ride’ and St John XXIII Church car park each week day between 5.30pm-10pm.

“Additional onsite lighting and CCTV has already been installed, with the installation of more lighting currently underway.

“During the works, access to car parks on the hospital site are prioritised for staff who are rostered on a weekday afternoon or night shift, as well as those working on weekends and public holidays.

“Day shift workers are required to park in the park and ride and can utilise the enhanced security measures or free public transport options to return them to their vehicle at the end of their shift.

“The access ways to the park and ride are well maintained and well-lit, with CCTV cameras through the interchange and park and ride car parks.

“The hospital is serviced by a number of bus services on Smart Road which can be accessed from the interchange at the park and ride, roughly every 10 minutes.

“Hospital staff can access these services free of charge through the Adelaide Metro Health Hospital Worker Pass.”