‘Punched in the face, groped, choked’: Nurses protest after eight assaults at Blacktown Hospital in two weeks

Nurses at Blacktown Hospital have demanded funding for extra staff and security after eight assaults in the hospital’s aged care unit in two weeks.

Blacktown Hospital staff Sam Turner, Jacki Holmes, Sharon Sutherland, Maureen Buckley, Christine Boxsell and Katie Conciatore at NSW Nurses and Midwives Association rally on July 2. Picture: Kate Lockley

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Nurses at Blacktown Hospital have demanded action after eight assaults on staff in the hospital’s aged care unit in two weeks.

Staff took to the grounds of the hospital for a rally this afternoon, calling on the State Government to urgently fund extra staff and security within the unit.

The NSW Nurses and Midwives Association’s John Farry said nurses were being physically attacked while caring for elderly patients with dementia and behavioural issues.

“There was a young woman who was punched in the face, another young woman whose arms were grabbed and neck choked, a pregnant nurse who was punched in the back and a security guard kicked in the chest,” Mr Farry told the Advocate.

Blacktown Hospital nurses demand funding for extra staff and security after a spike in assaults on staff. Picture: Kate Lockley

“A chair was thrown at a nurse, another nurse was punched in the flank and a male nurse was punched in the face.

“We also had a woman who was sexually harassed two weeks ago.”

Blacktown Hospital branch steward Katie Conciatore said several staff members had sought emergency medical treatment as a result of the attacks.

“Branch members have stated they have been hit, spat at and kicked,” Ms Conciatore said.

“We have branch members having to go to the emergency department to be assessed during their shift.

“There is a fear when they go home about what they’re leaving for their fellow colleagues.

“They also have a fear for other patients and other patients’ families when they’re walking into this environment

“All of this is due to the fact we are trying to manage severe behavioural dementia patients as if they have moderate behavioural disturbance.”

Ms Conciatore said funding was needed for specialised staff to better address patients’ needs and prevent attacks on staff.

“We need a multi-disciplinary care model implemented that needs funding,” she said.

“We need social worker, medical staff to administer medications and diversional therapists in the unit doing activities with the patients so they’re not staring at a blank wall.”

Nurses have raised concerns about the security of staff at Blacktown Hospital’s aged care unit.

Blacktown Hospital’s acting general manager Ned Katrib said staffing levels and security had been boosted in the ward in response to the incidents.

“We will be introducing staff training programs and reviewing the roles and responsibilities of staff working in the ward to ensure we are able to better respond to patients who may be showing signs of aggression,” Mr Katrib said.

“We have already increased nursing staff levels, boosted our security presence on the ward and initiated daily reviews of patient management plans.

“The number of mobile personal duress alarms has also been increased across the hospital.

“To ensure staff wellbeing, we have encouraged our aged care ward staff to request rotations to other areas of the hospital. Counselling services have been made available to any staff requiring further support.

“Patient and staff safety and wellbeing is paramount and we are taking any acts of violence in our hospital very seriously.”

Blacktown state Labor MP Stephen Bali said he would take the issue to NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard.

“What nurses want is quality care for the patients — if you can give quality care to the patients, you don’t have to worry about violence,” Mr Bali said.

“It is no use having shiny new buildings and not having staff in there.

“The simple solution is employ the right number of people and therefore that delivers the best outcome for our patients and local residents.”