More than 60 per cent of Tasmanian nurses have been subject to verbal or physical violence in the past year.
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The alarming new data has prompted the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation to call for a ‘zero tolerance’ policy to be urgently implemented in line with the mandatory sentencing laws that apply to assaults against police.
Union state secretary Neroli Ellis said it seemed violence against nurses was on the rise, particularly in busy emergency departments.
The figure came from a survey of 1000 members.
“Unfortunately, verbal and physical abuse is a constant part of nurse’s working life,” Mrs Ellis said.
“This is completely unacceptable and a reason for resignations.
“Nurses are put in a compromised position and are often scared.”
A Tasmanian Health Service spokesman said the safety of patients and staff was the organisation’s number one priority.
“There is absolutely no excuse for abuse or violence to be directed at any of our health service employees – they are working to save lives and treat sick people,” he said.
“Any incident of abuse or violence should be reported so that proper workplace protocols can be implemented, and staff are urged to ensure this occurs, no matter how minor it may appear.”
The government has previously announced plans to extend mandatory sentences to assaults against emergency service and front line workers. It is expected a bill will be introduced in Parliament later this year.
