Calls for 24-hour security guards in hospitals have intensified after a patient’s rampage at Port Pirie Hospital left two nurses and three doctors injured last Saturday.
The incident occurred when a patient suffering a psychotic episode assaulted medical staff, prompting concerns about their safety.
A petition for round-the-clock security guards has gained over 2,000 signatures.
The Yorke and Northern Local Health Network (YNLHN) has stated that a Security Working Party is investigating the matter and considering various measures, including staff training, duress alarms, and physical improvements.
The South Australian Nursing and Midwifery Union has demanded action, highlighting previous violent incidents and emphasizing the need for tangible steps to ensure patient and staff safety.
Nurses at Port Pirie and Wallaroo Hospitals have shown solidarity by wearing purple scrubs as part of their campaign.
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