After an incident earlier this year involving a patient smuggling a weapon into the MHIU, we wrote to the director of SMHS and asked them what is being done to ensure the safety of nurses.
We received a response advising that the issue was being investigated and that additional training has been provided. We were also advised that a review was ongoing into the statewide search policy.
We are continuing to put pressure on SMHS for your workplace to be safe and have followed up by asking how the individual was not flagged in the ED for carrying weapons and what steps are being taken to involve mental health nurses in any search policy.
If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch with us via HACSUassist.