Patient violence in Manly Hospital has become ‘the norm’

FRONTLINE staff in Manly Hospital have been bitten, spat on, hit and verbally abused by violent patients amid a rise in attacks.

Violence has become “the norm” at Manly Hospital's Emergency Department. Picture: Tim Hunter.

• Ice, alcohol turning hospital ERs into war zones
• Hospital security officers are calling for protection

MANLY Hospital staff “are “taking their life in their hands” simply by going to work, amid rising numbers of assaults by violent and drug-affected patients.

That’s the claim of Manly Hospital Branch President of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association Lyn Hopper who said violence had become “the norm” in recent years with hospital staff being hit, bitten, spat at and verbally abused.

In the most serious incident, an ice patient allegedly tried unsuccessfully to grab a policeman’s gun in 2014 and had to be subdued with capsicum spray.

Violence has become “the norm” at Manly Hospital's Emergency Department. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Ms Hopper said the rise in violence was partly due to the rising numbers of ice and drug-affected patients as well as patients with delirium. The hospital also has an acute mental health unit.

“We’ve had people who’ve been punched in the face over the last year, black eyes, bite marks on the arms, that’s not unusual,” Ms Hopper said.

She said over the Christmas period the hospital had been “hammered big time” by patients who’d taken party drugs and were violent. Windows were also smashed with “monotonous regularity”, she said.

“We almost have a running contract with the glass company.”

A spokesman the Northern Sydney Local Health District said there was “around one incident” a day at Manly Hospital.

“The type of incident can range from a confused elderly patient with challenging behaviours to aggression in the emergency department.

“Manly Hospital is committed to the safety of staff and patients and provides regular security and incident response training.”

In response to concerns, an extra security guard was recently introduced at weekends.

Ms Hopper said the guards did a good job but had “limited powers”.

An extra security guard was recently introduced at weekends and while Ms Hopper said they did a good job, she would like to see them get more training and extra powers. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“They are trained more for the general security type duties, not for hospitals.”

She would like to see security guards get additional powers to restrain patients and more training.

She also wants police to stay while aggressive patients are being treated.

“Manly police to their credit when we call them will come up but unfortunately they’ve got other jobs to do as well. Once they have delivered the patient to the hospital, they take the handcuffs off and they go.”

The State Government has just announced new measures to protect staff in NSW hospitals, including a security audit of emergency departments and extra security staff where needed.

“The security and welfare of staff, patients and visitors in our hospitals is paramount,” Health Minister Jillian Skinner said.

Health Minister Jillian Skinner pictured at the site of the new Brookvale Community Health Centre last year with Premier Mike Baird and Wakehurst MP, Brad Hazzard.

Ms Hopper welcomed the measures and said she hoped changes would be implemented immediately, rather than just a “talkfest”.

A workshop for key Manly Hospital staff on reviewing security procedures and systems and training took place on Friday morning, the local health district spokesman said.

“This audit will provide further opportunities to enhance the provision of security services within the hospital.”

THE STATISTICS

■ According to police statistics released in 2015, the number of people charged with the possession or use of the drug ice on the northern beaches increased by nearly 80 per cent over the previous two years.

■ Between 2007 and 2013, local arrests for possession or use of ice averaged 38 a year but in the 12 months to June 2015, the number rose to 79.