Police are investigating the alleged rape of a staff member at a Victorian health facility, according to WA Today.
WA Today reported staff concerns about staffing levels and safety following the alleged assault.
The report cited an internal staff email outlining changes to night shift break arrangements.
The alleged assault comes as the state government has pledged $102 million to introduce mental health nurse-to-patient ratios, an announcement whose timing had been set before the incident. It also coincides with reporting by The Age that violence in Victoria’s public hospitals has surged by more than 60 per cent over four years, with a record 26,730 incidents logged last year including healthcare workers being bitten, punched and having bones broken.
Health and Community Services Union state secretary Paul Healey said staff had been left traumatised and he had been told counselling was being provided. “All I can say is this is not an isolated incident,” he said. “There are incidents happening in hospitals across the state and have a devastating effect on staff.” Healey said the hospital had been grappling with severe nursing shortages and difficulty retaining experienced staff, and that the “security response at the hospital is not what we believe it should be”. He welcomed the government’s pledge but said it did not go far enough.
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation state secretary Maddy Harradence said the union was aware of a serious incident at the hospital and was focused on supporting members. She said it remained committed to working collaboratively with the health service to strengthen members’ safety and wellbeing. The health service said in a staff email that a thorough review was being undertaken to understand what had occurred and to determine whether further measures were needed.
A hospital spokeswoman said the hospital was working closely with authorities and providing police with all necessary assistance, and would not comment further while the police investigation was underway. WorkSafe has confirmed it is also investigating.
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Analysis
Why This Matters
- A nurse is alleged to have been raped while at work in a secure psychiatric facility, putting the spotlight on staff safety at Victoria’s prison mental health hospital.
- Rostering left the unit with half its planned nursing staff at the time, and staff believe the alleged attacker took advantage of that gap.
- The case is being investigated by police and WorkSafe, and has sharpened pressure on the government over hospital safety and nurse-to-patient ratios.
Background
Thomas Embling Hospital is Victoria’s only forensic mental health hospital for prisoners, based in Fairfield. The alleged attack happened early on Monday morning; police, WorkSafe and the hospital itself are reviewing it. Two days later, the state government pledged $102 million to introduce mental health nurse-to-patient ratios, a decision whose timing was set before the incident. The Age has also reported violence in Victoria’s public hospitals rose by more than 60 per cent in four years, with 26,730 incidents logged last year.
Key Perspectives
- Thomas Embling Hospital insiders: Two insiders say two of the four rostered nurses had left the unit before the alleged attack and that the alleged offender appeared to have timed it. One insider said staff were “distraught, angry and devastated”.
- Health and Community Services Union (Paul Healey): Says this is “not an isolated incident”, that violence in hospitals is devastating staff, and that the hospital and government need to take staff safety more seriously. He welcomed the nurse-to-patient ratios pledge but said it did not go far enough.
- Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (Maddy Harradence): Says it is supporting members and will work with Forensicare to strengthen safety and wellbeing.
- Thomas Embling Hospital: Says it is assisting police, its primary concern is the welfare of those involved, and it will not comment further while the investigation is underway.
- Victorian Government: Has pledged $102 million for mental health nurse-to-patient ratios, with the timing of the announcement set before the alleged assault.
What to Watch
- The outcome of the police and WorkSafe investigations into the alleged attack.
- Whether the hospital follows through on its promised formal process for coordinating night shift breaks in the coming weeks.
- Whether the government’s nurse-to-patient ratios are delivered and whether unions press for further measures on security and staffing.