Regional News

Alarming increase in assaults on nurses

Shadow Minister for Mental Health
Sean L’Estrange

The State Opposition has called on the McGowan Government to immediately outline its plans to increase protection of nurses and other front line staff at public hospitals.

Shadow Minister for Health Sean L’Estrange said it was alarming to see a 55% increase in assaults on nurses for the period January to June 2018, compared to the same time in 2017.

“Our nurses do an outstanding job in extremely difficult circumstances and it is paramount the Government makes sure they have the utmost protection,” Mr L’Estrange said.

“Labor went to the election promising to protect frontline staff at our major public hospitals and yet, under their watch, assaults and code blacks have increased year on year.

“Rather than putting patients first, and protecting our frontline staff while they look after patients, Labor has cut spending on health which is leading to increased tension in our State hospitals, particularly in the emergency departments.

“For example, they planned to strip $300 million out of the North Metropolitan Health Service from 2017/18 to 2018/19, which has impacted on the delivery of frontline hospital services.

“Before the 2017 election, Labor talked a lot about improving the protection of front line workers at hospitals, but since the election the situation has got worse.

“It’s time for Labor to step up and resource our hospitals properly and make them a safer environment for staff and patients.”

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