Health Workforce

The Hon. C. BONAROS (15:18): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Health and Wellbeing about front-line nurses in our public health system.

Leave granted.

The Hon. C. BONAROS: In recent months, I had reason to find myself accompanying a loved one to the emergency department of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, and some of the incidents that I saw there, particularly involving mental health patients in ED beds, have been well documented in the media.

I found myself talking to a nurse, who indicated she had just been assaulted and, specifically, spat on by a patient in a mental health bed. When I queried whether she was okay, her response caught me by surprise in that she said that yes, she was okay, but then she went on to advise me that staff receive a payment, a form of compensation, each time they are subjected to a physical or verbal assault.

Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to query the matter with her further. So my question to the minister is: can the minister confirm whether in fact a scheme exists whereby nurses and health workers in our public system are receiving any form of financial payments or compensation if they are the subject of an assault at work? If this is the case, how much does the individual receive for each assault or act of violence? Is there a scale to determine the amount paid, or is it a flat fee regardless of the act? Who determines the bona fides of the claim and approves payment? And if indeed the scheme does exist, when did it begin and how many payments have been made to patients?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (15:20): I thank the honourable member for her question. I take the opportunity first of all to indicate what I am sure is a shared abhorrence in this chamber of people who assault our health workers. We condemn incidents of violence against our nursing and medical staff, who work tirelessly, often in very difficult circumstances.

Staff are skilled and trained in dealing with patients who may have behavioural problems caused by intoxication, mental illness or other medical issues, such as dementia, which require expert management. We certainly, in giving that training, hope to help protect their safety. I am certainly not aware of a payment scheme of the type the honourable member refers to, but I will certainly make inquiries. I do wonder if the particular staff member was, in a shorthand way, talking about WorkCover-type payments. I am not clear on that, but I will certainly seek advice.

I think it is worth acknowledging that this parliament has indicated its concern about violence in the health workforce. My recollection was that the committee, which I think is called the occupational health and safety committee, did look at violence in the workplace in the last couple of years and they definitely included consideration of violence in the health workforce.

It is an issue that I think I we as a parliament need to continue to monitor, because one of the concerns that I think the public has, and that I as minister share, is that staff receive appropriate support to pursue matters. From time to time it is suggested that SA Health could do more to support staff to take matters further. Staff often choose not to take matters further, and that's their choice, but if they want to pursue the matter, either as a complaint or workers compensation or a police matter, I think it's important that we as a health administration and leadership support them. People need to feel safe in their workplace. People shouldn't go to work in any workplace and fear injury or death, and that applies to health workers, too.