Queensland hospital security guards limitations questioned after staff assaulted metres from the front doors

A nurse has been violently attacked just metres from a South East Queensland hospital entrance as security watched on, unable to intervene as the attack was not on hospital grounds.

Nurse assaulted outside hospital as security watches. Picture: Brendan Radke

Security do not have to physically intervene to protect staff or patients outside Queensland hospitals, as a nurse was violently attacked just metres from a facility in the south east while guards watched.

Nurses’ Professional Association of Queensland says hospitals across the state restrict security from interfering outside the property boundary line.

It comes after a nurse was reportedly assaulted outside a hospital in SEQ recently.

Witnesses said she was seen lying on the ground in a fetal position and when her colleagues tried to help, one of them wasalso injured.

Security guards reportedly watched from 5m away without intervening.

The Cairns Post launched Operation Safe Zone earlier this month after staff said they were tying their hair up and using carkeys for protection while walking to their cars.

The Post has since called for better safety outcomes for staff who fear walking to and from the hospital.

It’s understood while security are available to walk workers to their cars, they cannot restrain individuals or interveneoff hospital grounds.

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service chief executive Leena Singh was not asked to comment on the SEQ incidentsince it is outside of her jurisdiction but confirmed security guards “do not hold any power to restrain individuals nor intervenein security incidents outside of the hospital”.

The Cock and Bull tavern is located on the opposite side of Digger Street to the multi storey parking lot of the Cairns Hospital. Nurses have said there are often intoxicated people in the area. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Our security team do a fantastic job looking after staff, patients and visitors within hospital boundaries,” she said.

“They do not hold any power to restrain individuals nor intervene in security incidents outside of the hospital.”

While security are available to walk workers to their cars, they cannot restrain individuals or intervene off hospital grounds. Picture: Brendan Radke

Of the 530 nurse respondents in a recent survey by the Nurses’ Professional Association of Queensland, 50 per cent reported no external security measures in place, such as duress alarms.

In a survey exclusively for Cairns this month, 14 respondents said the current system was unreliable, unsafe, and dangerously unfit for purpose.

Most reported feeling unsafe or very unsafe walking to and from their vehicles which are in some cases three blocks away.

A shuttle bus operates between 6pm to midnight seven days a week, but only has four seats at any one time, with about seven people using it per night, according to the hospital.

Kara Thomas, says Queensland hospitals are not doing enough to protect their staff, with nurses claiming they're having to make way to work along dark roads and alleys. Photo: Lucas Salvatori.

Nurses’ Professional Association of Queensland president Kara Thomas said nurses and midwives were paying the price for a lack of accountability when it comes to their safety.

“We’ve received horrifying reports of security standing by, watching a nurse be assaulted at another QHealth facility, because they’re not ‘authorised’ to intervene, even five metres from the hospital entrance,” she said.

Ms Thomas said it was a gross abandonment of the most basic duty of care, leaving staff exposed, unsupported, and at risk.

“Staff are being stalked, harassed, assaulted, and their cars vandalised, yet the best response offered is an unreliable sedan shuttle, vague reassurances, and a blame game between the hospital and the council,” Ms Thomas said.

Ms Thomas said the union had offered to support the cost of a proper shuttle to protect nurses and midwives.

Generic photo of the Cairns Hospital at night. Picture: Brendan Radke

Ms Thomas is calling for a larger bus to be used in Cairns to take staff to and from the hospital where about 4800 nurses are employed alone.

In other parts of the state, Ms Thomas said buses were already being used to transport staff safely to and from their vehicles.

“It’s not a mini-van, it is a full-on bus,” she said.

“The hospital claims to provide security and a shuttle service, but we know their guards are often unavailable and powerless the moment a nurse steps off hospital grounds,” she said.

“According to staff, the so-called shuttle is an unreliable sedan.”

Ms Thomas also urged Cairns Regional Council and the hospital to open an off-site carpark where staff can leave their cars, and be taken to and from work.

“This appears to be a gross abandonment of the most basic duty of care, leaving staff exposed, unsupported, and at risk,” she said.

The attack on the recent nurse happened in South East Queensland. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service chief executive Leena Singh. Picture: Brendan Radke

When asked how security could keep staff safe if they were unable to intervene outside the hospital, Ms Singh said guards were trained to prevent violence.

“If an incident were to occur, the security officer can physically intervene in accordance with sections 271 and 273 of the Criminal Code and call the police,” she said.

Ms Singh said the role of security was one of prevention and deterrence.

“The role of the security officer escort when off the hospital grounds is primarily one of prevention and deterrence,” she said.

“Their physical presence can be a deterrent and they are trained in verbal de-escalation.”

Ms Singh said the staff shuttle service — a 5-seater Nissan X-Trail — had been widely promoted to staff.

“Each week, there is on average 48 staff who use the service, which equates to approximately seven people per night,” Ms Singh said.

Originally published as Queensland hospital security guards limitations questioned after staff assaulted metres from the front doors