23 assaults on ED staff in 12 weeks at just two hospitals — read the victims’ stories

From curling up in a ball to escape a beating to being put in a headlock, these are the harrowing tales of life in Adelaide’s emergency departments. See all the incidents.

Surging violence in hospital EDs amid a rise is meth affected patients and, at times, days-long waits to be given a ward bed is reaching a crisis point with doctors even suggesting stab vests for frontline workers.

The Advertiser has obtained a list of 23 assaults on staff at just two hospitals in the past 12 weeks, giving a human voice to statistics.

It is at times confronting reading, at a time SA Salaried Medical Officers Association chief industrial officer Bernadette Mulholland says the gridlock in hospitals “is absolutely the worst I have ever seen.”

Aftermath of a patient rampage in Flinders Medical Centre’s ED detailed in a SASMOA report to SafeWork SA. Picture: Supplied

Aftermath of a patient rampage in Flinders Medical Centre’s ED detailed in a SASMOA report to SafeWork SA. Picture: Supplied

Nurses union boss Elizabeth Dabars now is calling for separate zones in EDs — or entirely separate facilities — to treat patients affected by drugs or alcohol, or mental health patients.

She notes these patients may face long waits in noisy, bright, busy EDs, with the stimulation contributing to aggression, and need more appropriate facilities separate from mainstream patients.

Amid clogged EDs, chronic ramping and ED patients treated but in limbo waiting hours if not days for ward beds, here is what is going on in Flinders Medical Centre and Noalunga Hospital when times get rough, as reported by victims to management.

Originally published as 23 assaults on ED staff in 12 weeks at just two hospitals — read the victims’ stories