Psych unit fears ex-crims
PSYCHIATRIC nurses are being attacked on the job by violent ex-prisoner patients who have received insufficient treatment on remand, health workers claim.
The mental health workers union said seven staff were kicked and punched by a violent patient last weekend in just one of several recent incidents at Geelong’s Swanston Centre.
It says inadequate facilities at the Barwon Health-operat- ed centre left staff and other patients scared, at risk and vulnerable.
While Barwon Health would not divulge details of the attack, mental health director Associate Professor Steve Moylan confirmed recent incidents had involved “clients with complex needs”.
Barwon Health data shows there have been 93 “code grey” alerts for violent, aggressive and threatening behaviour at the Swanston Centre since January, and two “code black” alerts for armed or non-patient threats.
Registered mental health nurse Paul Healey said Geelong’s major mental health facility was the only large unit in the state without a secure intensive care unit for aggressive patients.
Mr Healey, who is also the Health and Community Services Union secretary, said this “highly aggressive behaviour” was having a profound effect on staff.
“These assaults by hyperaroused clients have now become commonplace, and it is not fair to staff, other clients or families,” Mr Healey said.
“Very unwell and untreated people are exiting prisons and remand centres thinking they are going home. But they’re immediately arrested under section 351 of the Mental Health Act, taken straight to a mental health facility in a state of high agitation and staff have to deal with them. Then there’s chaos in the units where other clients are trying to recover.”
Dr Moylan said the health and safety of the centre’s staff was Barwon Health’s top pri- ority. He said a $6.8 million investment to remodel the Swanston Centre Mental Health Acute Unit would result in a safer environment for staff and patients.
“The redevelopment will include a purpose-built seclusion space and a four-bed intensive care area for assessment and treatment,” Dr Moylan said.
“The redevelopment will support a modern, therapeutic and safer environment for consumers, staff and visitors.”
Dr Moylan said staff managed patients on a case-by- case basis depending of their care needs and level of risk.
“The safety and wellbeing of our staff is a priority. We work closely with key stakeholders including WorkSafe Victoria, Victoria Police and our unions to prevent and manage violence and aggression against healthcare workers.”
A spokeswoman for Mental Health Minister Martin Foley said government-funded redevelopments at the centre were expected to include a purposebuilt seclusion space.