Nurses threaten to quit remote centres
11.03.2008
THE Queensland Nurses Union has threatened to leave medical centres in remote communities unstaffed unless the state Government urgently provides more security.
The union demand that clinics in remote communities have at least two staff follows the rape on February 5 of a nurse in hopelessly insecure accommodation on Mabuiag Island in Torres Strait.
The union was incensed with the lack of response from Queensland Health last week after an ultimatum that unless all facilities were made safe and secure by the end of the month, nurses would withdraw their labour. Union secretary Gay Hawksworth yesterday said she found it incredible the department flew a midwife to Mabuiag last Friday after assuring her the building in which the rape occurred had been brought up to standard.
The midwife, on arrival, found that was not the case, and insisted she be flown out on Friday afternoon.
Ms Hawksworth said all remote area nurses would hold a tele-conference with the union today to work out what had been done to improve conditions.
``If the deficiencies are not addressed, the nurses will not remain on the communities.
``It is just not safe to have single-nurse situations on any of the islands, and we want an end to this system,'' she said.
If the Government did not agree to the demands, nurses would not accept appointments and would only do fly in/fly out clinics, with no overnight stays.
In a letter to Queensland Health last week, Ms Hawksworth said the gravity of the position could ``not be understated, nor should it be minimised''. The letter demanded immediate action to repair broken locks, doors and fire alarms, as well as the provision of personal duress alarms and a system where they will be responded to in an emergency.
As well, nurses are to have access to a vehicle and a reliable communication system such as a satellite telephone.
Health officials met with police, teachers, nurses and community leaders on Mabuiag Island yesterday to discuss protocols to protect staff. This was to ensure no repeat of the appalling treatment of the nurse in the aftermath of the rape, including the local community police officer who refused to come to her aid for three hours because it was raining.
Police arrested a 22-year old Mabuiag Island man and charged him with rape and burglary. A 17-year-old alleged accomplice was charged with burglary.
