Cairns dad Leigh Harris calls for better safety for hospital nurses in wake of attack

A father of a Cairns emergency department nurse is calling for swift action on hospital parking and safety risks, raising his concerns that nothing will change until tragedy strikes.

Clinical nurse Lerisa Simpson-Harris is calling on the Cairns Hospital to offer more secure parking options for health workers, after staff reported close calls and physical threats while walking to and from their workplace, with some incidents taking place during daylight hours. Picture: Brendan Radke

The father of a Cairns emergency department nurse is calling for a permanent solution to ensure frontline workers’ safety, saying he believes authorities won’t act until something “truly tragic” happens.

Cairns Hospital nurse Lerisa Simpson-Harris regularly works long and irregular hours, from night shifts to early morning starts in the emergency department.

Her father and longtime Cairns resident, Leigh Harris, said his daughter’s safety concerns with ongoing parking issues at the hospital were “falling on deaf ears”.

“It falls on deaf ears and for council they need to pick up their act on a number of issues, (especially) the parking one,” he said.

“With the state of security around the hospital, there’s just no guarantee she’ll be safe.”

Clinical nurse Lerisa Simpson-Harris and her father Leigh Harris are calling on the Cairns Hospital to offer more secure parking options. Picture: Brendan Radke

Despite his daughter’s stature and confidence, Mr Harris said he remained deeply concerned about her safety while she walked to and from work at “all hours”.

“She’s six foot, so she’s okay in most cases, but we’re always worried about her finishing at night,” he said.

“Hospital staff are dealing with life and death situations every day, they shouldn’t have to worry about their cars getting fined while they’re saving lives, stolen or attacked when they’ve finished a shift.”

In January, a number of hospital staff told the Cairns Post they felt “unsafe and nervous” walking to their cars after a series of violent alleged assaults by youth offenders.

Two employees were attacked just days apart.

In January a private hospital nurse was allegedly threatened with a hammer on the street before her car was stolen. Picture: Brendan Radke

On January 16 a hospital cleaner was attacked on Lake Street and her handbag was stolen before the alleged offender ran off.

The following day a private hospital nurse was allegedly threatened with a hammer before her car was stolen.

These attacks sparked fear among hospital staff, who called for safer parking and security options.

Like many hospital staff, Ms Simpson-Harris frequently faces challenges finding parking, particularly near the hospital where spaces are limited.

“She works in the emergency department resuscitating patients ... the last thing she should be worried about is having to move her car or risk a parking fine,” Mr Harris said.

Mr Harris called on Cairns Regional Council to extend the same free parking spaces they offered their employees on Spence Street, to frontline health workers.

Cairns Regional Council offices located on Spence street. File photo. Picture: Brian Cassey.

A council spokesman said the organisation acknowledged that parking around the hospital was a significant issue, but arrangements for dedicated staff parking for hospital workers was a matter between the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service and its employees.

“As an employer, council provides parking for its own employees,” the spokesman said.

“Similarly, the issue of adequate staff parking is between CHHHS and its employees.”

The spokesman said council had recently presented options and possible parking solutions to CHHHS, including the potential to create a park-and-ride shuttle bus arrangement for staff.

“Parking around the hospital contains a mix of short and long stay (and) free and paid parking to cater for the needs of all hospital visitors and nearby business, not just their staff,” the spokesman said.

Cairns Hospital acting chief executive Jenelle Matic said improving car parking was one of the hospital’s priorities.

“As part of the process, we are investigating the viability of several interim car parking options for staff, patients, and visitors,” she said.

Cairns Hospital emergency department. File photo. Picture: Brendan Radke

A multi-storey carpark was built and opened in 2010 providing 667 car spaces for patients, visitors and staff, CEO Leena Singh said

“Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation operate the car park,”she said.

“It is well-used and we thank the foundation for operating the carpark, with every cent spent on parking going back to support our health services.”

Additionally in 2017, Cairns Regional Council added 350 car parks, including new centre median parking around the hospital precinct to improve access to medical facilities.

“It is clear this has not been enough,” Ms Singh said.

Leigh Harris said Picture: Brendan Radke

In an opinion piece published in the Cairns Post in November, Ms Singh said on any given weekday, Cairns Hospital treats 1600 to 1700 patients.

This includes 225 emergency department presentations and between 800 to 1000 outpatient appointments.

“These numbers don’t account for visitors, who, along with the 2000 staff members working daily, all vie for parking spaces,” she said.

Mr Harris said the broader safety concern for frontline workers should be a top priority.

He has called for an additional permanent, designated and secure parking space for staff, which is monitored by cameras, and free of fines.

He said nurses like his duaghter came into contact with many members of the public during their shifts, which heightened safety concerns.

“You just never know when someone might decide to follow her to her car after a shift,” Mr Harris said.

Originally published as Cairns dad Leigh Harris calls for better safety for hospital nurses in wake of attack