Gosford Hospital: safety concerns over new patient enquiry counter

Gosford Hospital is difficult to navigate at the best of times, and now the help desk has been closed down over safety concerns.

Outside view of Gosford Hospitals new 11 storey tower.

Gosford Hospital workers have again voted to shut down the Patient Enquiry counter until continuing safety concerns addressed.

The counter yesterday morning at 7am after workers took the extraordinary action of issuing a Cease Work notice under the Work, Health, Safety Act 2011.

Health Service Union (HSU) NSW Secretary Gerard Hayes said hospital workers were frustrated at the failure of management to put in place simple security measures.

“Hospital management have been dithering on this issue several weeks, and now we are back at square one again.

“Workers have had enough, and they just want something to be done about it.”

The old emergency has been moved, along with the patient enquiry desk.

Mr Hayes said workers were concerned about the lack of security such as a perspex screen in the current temporary Patients Enquiry counter, and the lack of a screen in the new Patients Enquiry counter (due to be opened in March next year).

Without a screen for protection, workers are at risk of being spat at or assaulted.

Just yesterday, an incident occurred at the temporary Patients Enquiry counter where an aggressive and agitated visitor to the hospital verbally abused staff and leaned over the counter, requiring urgent security intervention.

Temporary arrangements, including extra security patrols, were put in place in late November. These arrangements were set to cease last night, however Central Coast Local Health District CEO Dr Andrew Montague said the security measures would remain.

The hospital has been under development for some time. Picture: AAP / Sue Graham

“Patient enquiries have been temporarily relocated to the new tower and the opening of the

new patient enquiries desk has been postponed until March 2019 while consultation with

staff continues,” he said.

“As an interim safety measure, the District will continue to run extra security patrols in the area during this time.

“Patient enquiries staff also have access to a duress alarm button, with security on-site to respond to any reported incidents.

“The District is committed to ongoing consultation with staff and representatives of the Health

Services Union around the safety of the public areas, including the possibility of installing

additional CCTV cameras in the reception area.”