Hospital violence measures 'inadequate'

[nursebedlam]

Saturday, May 29, 2004. 9:29am (AEST)

Hospital violence measures 'inadequate'

The Victorian Liberal Party says new measures to tackle violence in the state's hospitals do not go far enough.

Figures released this week indicate there were more than 2,600 violent incidents against nurses in just four public hospitals over the past six months.

This week, the State Government announced the formation of a task force to investigate ways to cut violence in the public hospital system.

The Shadow Health Minister, David Davis, says a more practical approach is needed.

"It's clear there needs to be a crackdown on violence in hospitals," he said.

"It's clear there needs to be proper policing of hospitals to make sure that people can feel safe and feel secure.

"Patients have the right to be safe when they visit hospitals."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1118717.htm

[Farkinott, RN]

Maybe this story should be in nursing news.

[Mister Chris, MSN, NP]

Saturday, May 29, 2004. 9:29am (AEST)

Hospital violence measures 'inadequate'.......................can feel safe and feel secure.

"Patients have the right to be safe when they visit hospitals."

Yes - should be more than just "looked into" or "investigated" - Nurses also have the right to be safe when they work in hospitals - we do not get paid to get beaten up! I have been in many different places of care and several of them have no security patrols even at night. All doors supposed to be locked by 7 or 8pm and not unlocked untill 6am. In one such place on nights, there is on duty one RN and four AIN's for over 100+ clients in aged care.

There is still some potential for violence with ex-psychiatric/geriatrics now in old peoples homes. So there is violence from outside and inside, from some of the clients, and from visitors - both official and the uninvited.

Still we keep on nursing. :uhoh21: