Emma Davidson, Leanne Castley: ACT Government launches inquiry into Dhulwa

An inquiry into Canberra’s Dhulwa Mental Health Unit has been launched following an uptick of assaults against nurses.

The ACT Government will launch an inquiry into the troubled Dhulwa Mental Health Unit following incidents of violence towards nurses at the facility, Mental Health Minister Emma Davidson has announced.

Last month WorkSafe ACT issued a prohibition notice and an improvement notice to the centre.

It was also revealed last month that a nurse lost part of his finger during an altercation with an out of control patient during an incident on Good Friday.

Ms Davidson said nurses “should feel safe, supported, and confident at work so they can deliver the best possible care across our health system”.

“Following the recent incidents at Dhulwa, it is clear more must be done to ensure nurses feel safe,” she said.

“Staff and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) have asked for the inquiry to be conducted quickly and with clear and focused terms of reference, so nurses are heard, and findings are operationalised in a timely manner that supports a safer workplace culture.”

The ACT Government will launch an inquiry into the Dhulwa Mental Health Unit.

Ms Davidson said the government was in the process of finalising terms of reference with the ANMF and nurses and selecting an independent chair for the inquiry.

“The pathway forward to establish the inquiry, conduct it and operationalise the findings will involve staff input so we can achieve the best outcomes for their workplace culture and safety,” she said.

Liberal MLA Leanne Castley has welcomed the inquiry but has criticised Ms Davidson over the time it has taken for it to be launched.

“Nurses have been crying out for help following a number of assaults at the facility but have continually been ignored by the Minister,” Ms Castley said.

“It should not take a WorkSafe notice and repeated calls from our nurses and the Canberra Liberals for the Labor-Greens Government to finally act and launch an inquiry.”

Liberal MLA Leanne Castley says she supports an inquiry into Dhulwa Mental Health Unit. Picture: Julia Kanapathipillai

Ms Castley said there had been “over 100 assaults at the facility in recent months” and said it was “staggering it took so long for the Minister to do her job and protect our hard working nurses at Dhulwa”.

“My immediate concern is the safety of nurses working at Dhulwa today,” she said.

“What is the Minister doing to protect our nurses now, to ensure there will be no more attacks and they can go to work not fearing an assault.”

ANMF ACT Branch Secretary Matthew Daniel said the establishment of the inquiry “demonstrates that the Government is serious about listening to nurses and acting to keep them safe”.

Canberra Health Services CEO Dave Peffer said the organisation welcomed the inquiry.

“(The inquiry) will provide valuable opportunities to learn from external experts as we seek to improve workplace safety and team member wellbeing,” he said.

“We are committed to doing everything we can to keep our team members safe while providing exceptional care for the patients at Dhulwa, and look forward to collaborating with all relevant stakeholders during the inquiry process.”