A recently released survey has unveiled concerning statistics regarding the safety of mental health nurses, with an overwhelming majority reporting threats and a significant percentage experiencing assault within a single year.
According to the survey conducted by the Nurses Organisation, 76% of mental health nurses have faced threats, while more than 40% have been subjected to physical assault. The gravity of the situation was highlighted by a distressing incident recounted by one nurse, where seven staff members required emergency treatment, including treatment for severe injuries, following an attack by a patient.
Grant Brookes, a Wellington-based mental health nurse and delegate, expressed deep concerns over the deteriorating state of the sector. He emphasized the pervasive fear among mental health nurses for their safety, attributing the rise in violence and aggression to factors such as understaffing and inadequate security measures. Brookes noted that incidents of violence were becoming increasingly common across Aotearoa, with nurses facing assaults on a daily basis.
Brookes identified substance abuse, particularly methamphetamine-induced psychosis, as a significant contributing factor to the violence observed in mental health settings. He also raised concerns about the placement of patients with diverse needs in inadequate facilities within hospitals, posing significant safety risks to both staff and patients.
Moreover, Brookes underscored the shortcomings in community care, lamenting that individuals were not receiving the necessary support outside hospital settings, exacerbating the challenges faced by mental health nurses.
Paul Goulter, chief executive of the Nurses Organisation, expressed disappointment over the lack of funding allocated to address the pressing issues in mental health care. He criticized the insufficient investment in mental health services and support for nurses, emphasizing that no nurse should have to face the threat of assault as a routine part of their job.
As concerns escalate over the safety and well-being of mental health nurses, Health New Zealand has been urged to address these pressing issues and provide meaningful support to ensure the safety of frontline healthcare workers.
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