Cairns Hospital knocks back buggy donation from residents concerned over staff safety

Two women have launched a fundraiser to buy a buggy for hospital staff who feel unsafe walking at night, but management has knocked back the offer, saying it’s not the right solution.

Two Cairns women have launched a fundraiser to buy a buggy for hospital staff who feel unsafe walking at night — but the chief executive say it’s not needed. Picture: Supplied

Concerned community members have offered to donate a buggy for use by Cairns Hospital staff who feel unsafe walking to their cars at night — but a hospital executive says it isn’t the right solution.

The initiative, led by businesswomen and community advocates Perri Conti and Cat Tannock, was launched in response to growing concerns from hospital staff about their safety after dark.

Reports of staff members feeling vulnerable prompted the Cairns Post to launch Operation Safe Zone on May 10, following troubling feedback from nurses and other employees.

Many nurses revealed they were arming themselves with car keys and tying their hair up — a tactic to prevent attackers from grabbing them — as they walked several blocks to their vehicles after night shifts.

Safety near the multi-storey parking lot of the Cairns Hospital has been brought into question. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns youth advocate Perri Conti said she wanted to help.

“These people are holding their keys like weapons. That’s how unsafe they feel,” she said.

Funds to purchase a buggy, similar to the ones used by police and ‘City Safe Patrol’, are being raised through a GoFundMe campaign set up by the two women.

“It will allow hospital security staff to safely and quickly transport employees to their cars,” Ms Conti said.

“This is a practical, no-nonsense solution to a real problem.”

The new City Safe buggy was acquired by council last year at a cost of $40,000. Picture: Peter Carruthers

However, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital chief executive Leena Singh said the gesture was appreciated but confirmed there was already an appropriate process in place for staff.

“Whilst I appreciate the sentiment behind the buggy fundraising, we already have a vehicle that provides a shuttle service for staff to get to their cars from 6pm to midnight,” she said.

“My staff have tried to contact the organiser to explain the situation.”

Ms Singh said anyone wanting to support the hospital should contact the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation to discuss fundraising ideas.

A security guard checks on people sitting outside of D Block at the Cairns Hospital at night. Picture: Brendan Radke

This comes as a survey conducted for just Cairns staff in May by the breakaway union, Nurses’ Professional Association of Queensland, found the hospital’s current transport system to be “unreliable, unsafe and dangerously unfit for purpose”.

The shuttle operates from 6pm to midnight, it seats four passengers at a time and staff say it is often overwhelmed during shift changes.

Ms Singh confirmed the shuttle was a 5-seater Nissan X-Trail — and said it had been widely promoted to staff.

“Each week, there is on average 48 staff who use the service, which equates to approximately seven people per night,” she said.

Ms Tannock, who said she had previously been a victim of crime, believed the hospital issue was just one of many community concerns.

“I’ve had nurses, hospitality workers, all kinds of people asking, ‘What about us?’” she said.

A woman walks walks past the E Block at the Cairns Hospital at night. Picture: Brendan Radke

The former small business owner said while a solution wouldn’t happen overnight, raising funds for the buggy was a step in the right direction.

“Some staff have told me they finish work at midnight and after a 10-hour shift they’re expected to wait another hour to get to their car. That’s not acceptable,” Ms Tannock said.

Ms Conti hoped the buggy would serve as a backup for current hospital shuttle.

“Just because a box is ticked on paper doesn’t mean it’s working in reality,” she said.

“It’s not about throwing stones – we’re here because we’re tired of waiting.”

Youth justice advocate Perri Conti spoke at a state government community cabinet meeting at Cairns State High School. Picture: Brendan Radke

She also raised concerns about the powers of hospital security personnel.

“They can’t do anything. They can’t arrest you, can’t touch you, can’t tip out alcohol,” Ms Conti said.

“Why aren’t we employing tactical security with powers?”

Ms Conti also called for more proactive strategies from police, security and “decision-makers” to address crime on Cairns streets.

The pair launched their campaign on May 20 as part of a broader vision to create a self-funded community hub, led by Ms Conti.

“This buggy is just the beginning – it’s about building something bigger that makes people feel safer,” Ms Conti said.

Originally published as Cairns Hospital knocks back buggy donation from residents concerned over staff safety