3 min read
THE Frightening unsafe REALITY
A line has been crossed and lives are at risk. Nurses working in high-risk environments know the difference between challenging conditions and unsafe ones. At the Riverland's Inpatient Withdrawal Unit in northern NSW, nurses have had enough.
Staff report volatile situations with aggressive, unpredictable patients, without proper security systems to stay safe. In one case, nurses were chased by drug-fuelled patients and forced to barricade themselves inside nurses’ stations.
Safety concerns include faulty duress alarms, no permanent on-site security, and patients exposed to psychotic behaviour. Despite the severity, the response has focused on de-escalation and resilience training rather than immediate, structural fixes that protect staff in the midst of a crisis.
NPAA Steps in
After being contacted by members, NPAA President, Kara Thomas, raised concerns directly to the government about the conditions inside the unit, including the suitability of patients being admitted, gaps in clinical oversight, and the broader risks created by the current operational settings.
KARA THOMAS, NPAA PRESIDENT SAID:
“Staff strongly believe in the value of Riverland's, but success is being undermined by decisions that prioritise bed numbers over safety, clinical judgment and trauma‑informed care.”
Nurses say their concerns were minimised or reframed, despite serious incidents. NPAA is clear: this is about preventing escalation, not reacting after harm is done.
KARA THOMAS, FURTHER WARNS: “We are seeing the consequences of under-resourced mental health services play out across NSW in real time. Riverland's is heading in the same direction if nothing changes."
A COLLECTIVE VOICE
Change in the workplace starts with speaking up. Backed by Australia’s most contactable professional associations, your voice can drive real change. NPAA stands with nurses and midwives nationwide, raising the bar and fighting for what’s right.
GOT QUESTIONS?
Want to hear more about how we advocate nurses? Our workplace support for individuals? Book a call and let’s talk.
We’d love to hear from you and learn how the NPAA can support you.
