27 March 2008

 

Torres Strait nurse-security up-date

Nurses to leave islands because of inadequate safety and security

Nurses to meet again tomorrow to discuss the departure process

 

Queensland Nurses Union (QNU) members working on various Torres Strait islands this evening (27 March) passed the following resolution with respect to their concerns about inadequate security at their workplaces and residences:

 

The nurses in the Torres Strait acknowledge the work that has been done to date and specifically over the last 10 days. However, there has been insufficient work satisfactorily completed to alleviate the concerns of the nurses regarding their personal safety. Accordingly, they believe they are left with no option but to remove themselves from this unsafe situation in accordance with their legal rights.

 

They will meet again by teleconference tomorrow afternoon, Friday 28 March, to discuss the detail of their withdrawal.

 

It is anticipated the majority (including their families, pets and belongings) will withdraw to Thursday Island this weekend and await Queensland Health advice regarding their ongoing working arrangements.

 

QNU secretary, Gay Hawksworth, said the withdrawal is about allowing these nurses to make themselves available for safe work with Queensland Health.

---

26 March 2008

Torres Strait nurse-security up-date

Some work done, but duress alarm system is still a major concern

Nurses to meet again tomorrow to discuss Friday’s deadline for security upgrades

Queensland Health has rectified a number of security problems at health facilities and nurse residences in the Torres Strait, but the absence of a working duress alarm system is still a major concern, the Queensland Nurses Union (QNU) said today.

 

During a QNU teleconference, late yesterday afternoon (March 25), nurses from a number of Torres Strait islands outlined the work done to-date to meet their concerns and the issues that still needed addressing as of yesterday (see summary attached).

 

They will meet again by teleconference tomorrow, Thursday 27 March, to discuss the situation and decide if Queensland Health has done enough to meet the QNU’s March 28 deadline to act on the security concerns raised by Torres Strait nurses.

 

If the nurses decide not enough has been done they will start leaving their facilities this weekend and provide only a fly-in, fly-out service to most islands. The deadline for addressing security concerns was originally imposed by the QNU in a letter to Queensland Health on February 29.

 

This teleconference will be followed by a meeting between QNU and Queensland Health officials, at which the outcome of the teleconference will be relayed to Queensland Health and the Queensland Health Minister.

 

QNU secretary, Gay Hawksworth, said more work has been done in the last week to fix various security and lighting problems at health facilities in the Torres Strait.

 

“The Health Minister also told us yesterday that three crews of carpenters and plumbers will be on the islands this Thursday and Friday and they will stay until all their work is finished,” Ms Hawksworth said.

 

“However, there are still serious problems with the duress alarm system on most islands and this is a key component on any proper security system for nurses. The Torres Strait nurses will meet again tomorrow to decide if Queensland Health has done enough to keep them at their individual facilities and residences after March 28.

 

“If they decide it hasn’t then they will start leaving the majority of islands this weekend and will make themselves available for safe work with Queensland Health,” Ms Hawksworth said.

 

Torres Strait Outer Islands – QNU Update

Summary of outstanding security issues - as at 25 March 2008

Island	Major Safety and Security Issues	Action to 25 March 2008	Outstanding Matters at 25 March 2008
Murray (Mer)	Common Security and Safety concerns apply to each facility: ·          General building security ·          Poor lighting ·          Lack of appropriate duress systems ·          Lack of adequate, functioning doors, locks and windows and key security (Please note that these apply to each site and only issues in addition to this will be stated for each centre below.)	Locks in accommodation working.	Dead locks in clinic Duress system Security lighting (Bollards)
Horn	See four dot points listed above for Murray Island that apply generally to all sites.	Locks for Clinic and accommodation completed. Glass doors to clinic repaired. Electrician has visited.	Security lighting. Duress alarms.
Badu	See four dot points listed above for Murray Island that apply generally to all sites.	Locks in clinics and residences repaired. One residence has smoke detectors hardwired. Security lighting around residence.	Duress alarms. Smoke detectors in other residences. Security lighting around clinic. Lighting in clinic hanging from ceiling.
Kubin (Moa)	See four dot points listed above for Murray Island that apply generally to all sites.	No one from island present at teleconference, but advised by those present that locks have been fixed.	Duress alarms. Smoke detectors
St Paul’s (Moa)	See four dot points listed above for Murray Island that apply generally to all sites.	Advised lights have been repaired.	Duress alarms. Smoke detectors
Saibai	See four dot points listed above for Murray Island that apply generally to all sites.	Phone lines. Security lighting. Locks repaired. Key security and register in place. Lighting in accommodation repaired. New generator installed and working. Smoke detectors in residence.	Smoke detectors in clinic. Duress alarms.
Darnley	See four dot points listed above for Murray Island that apply generally to all sites.	Member advises Q Health intend to make repairs to old clinic. Emphasis should be on new clinic.	Duress alarms.
Boigu	See four dot points listed above for Murray Island that apply generally to all sites.	Locks to clinic and accommodation.	After hours call system not working. No smoke detectors. Duress alarms. Security lighting to back of clinic
Yam	See four dot points listed above for Murray Island that apply generally to all sites.	Advised locks have been fixed.	Duress alarms. Smoke detectors. On call phone diversion not working.
Yorke	See four dot points listed above for Murray Island that apply generally to all sites.	Advised clinic and accommodation locks fixed.	Smoke alarms in duplex not working. Duress alarms.
Coconut	See four dot points listed above for Murray Island that apply generally to all sites.	Locksmith visited. Work done, but further work needed.	Smoke detectors. Duress alarms. Security lighting.
Sue	See four dot points listed above for Murray Island that apply generally to all sites.	No full-time nurse at present - no report presented.
Stephen	See four dot points listed above for Murray Island that apply generally to all sites.	No full-time nurse at present - no report presented.
Duan	See four dot points listed above for Murray Island that apply generally to all sites.	Locksmith visiting today.
Mabuiag	See four dot points listed above for Murray Island that apply generally to all sites.	No full-time nurse at present - no report presented.	Security check needs to be completed.