Cairns Hospital staff speak out after alleged violent assaults by youths
Cairns Hospital staff say they feel “unsafe and nervous” walking to and from work following a series of violent alleged assaults by youth offenders.
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Cairns Hospital staff say they feel “unsafe and nervous” walking to and from work following a series of violent alleged assaults by youth offenders.
It comes after a hospital cleaner was allegedly attacked on Lake Street on January 16.
Police will allege she was assaulted and her handbag stolen before the offender ran off.
The next day a private hospital nurse was allegedly threatened with a hammer before the offender stole her car.
In an email to all staff, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service chief operating officer Jenelle Matric said police were investigating two incidents which happened near the hospital in the early hours of the morning.
“One (attack) on Lake Street and one at the Cairns Private Hospital staff car park,” the email read.
Staff are calling for better, safer parking and security options, with one administration worker saying she commutes in fear for her safety.
“I feel very unsafe and nervous walking to the hospital from my car every morning,” she said.
The worker, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Cairns Post she has to park on Upward Street, about a 10 minute walk to work and believes there needs to be better parking closer to the site.
“I hope something can be done about the parking situation around the hospital,” she said.
Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls on Wednesday said violence against health workers was “totally unacceptable” and safety was a top priority.
He also said there were limitations on what the state government could do outside of the hospital grounds.
“I know in some places security personnel walk with nurses to their cars, there are a number of different strategies being put into place,” he said.
“We provide quite a lot of carparking but we have to work within the bounds of what we can control and not what we can’t control within these facilities.”
Mr Nicholls said conversations were ongoing about staff safety, access to parking, adequate lighting and security.
“We continue to talk to the Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union for safety issues,” he said.
Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union Secretary Sarah Beaman said it was taking the alleged assaults seriously.
“It is unacceptable nurses and midwives across the state are so frequently exposed to violence and threats,” she said.
“Employers should consider security escorts, alarm systems, lighting, and proximity to entrances and exits of the facility.”
Ms Beaman said all workplaces should provide free, accessible, safe and secure carparking for nurses and midwives while at work.
CHHHS chief executive Leena Singh agreed the safety of staff was of utmost importance.
“We acknowledge that lack of carparking is an ongoing issue within the Cairns Hospital precinct,” she said.
“Our security staff can provide escorts for staff, 24/7 when they are ready to leave work.”
Ms Singh confirmed a shuttle bus service was also available for staff to use.
“Two years ago, we implemented a staff shuttle bus service to provide safe transport for our staff to and from their vehicles parked within the Cairns Hospital precinct,” she said.
However, it is understood this service has primarily been used by staff on late shifts.
“As part of the process, we are investigating the viability of several interim carparking options, including a park-and-ride service, to improve access to parking,” Ms Singh said.
A 15-year-old Gordonvale boy was arrested and charged on January 19 on suspicion of committing these two assaults on Lake street.
Police further alleged the boy was involved in six armed robberies and multiple break-ins and stolen vehicles in the greater Cairns area in the last month.
He was refused bail and was due to appear in the Cairns Childrens Court earlier this week.
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