Assaults in Hospitals

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:08): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector on the topic of assaults in hospitals.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Last month, the ABC reported that across the state there had been a 6 per cent increase in Code Black incidents at SA Health sites, where there is violence or threats of aggression. In the regions, the figures have almost doubled from 385 in 2023 to 668 incidents in 2024. Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation SA branch executive director Samantha Mead has said, and I quote:

We know that nurses and midwives, and other health workers, have been exposed to violence, attacks and aggressive behaviour. We also believe that in no way, shape or form should that be part of the job.

My question to the Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector therefore is:

1. What is the government doing to protect our essential frontline workers and prevent these sorts of safety issues in their workplace, particularly at a time when the government is struggling to recruit people to work in our public health sector?

2. What is the government doing in terms of providing additional support to public sector staff in regional hospitals?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (15:10): I thank the honourable member for his question. As a government, we think we agree with the sentiments that were outlined in the honourable member's question: everybody has the right to go to work in the morning and expect to come home in the same condition as they left; that is, be and feel safe at work.

I know I have had the opportunity as the Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector to spend a little bit of time, along with my colleague the Hon. Chris Picton, member for Kaurna and Minister for Health and Wellbeing, with a range of people, including those who provide security services in our public hospitals, who do a remarkable job in what is often a difficult situation. I know that as a government we will continue to look to support those who provide that frontline security, who literally are on the frontline of the frontline in providing these important public sector services and certainly that extends to regional hospitals as well.