Security and the safety of nursing staff and other workers at Bowral Hospital has been highlighted at a meeting held this week to outline future contingency plans for the protection of staff from acts of violence.

In the past five years in NSW hospitals, the incidence of violence leading to murder and serious injuries sustained by staff and in some cases patients, has increased dramatically.

Tuesday night’s meeting to discuss these issues was attended by about 40 staff.

In the Southern Highlands, there has been one incident of violence towards a staff member when a catering worker was attacked.

The aim of the meeting was to develop local strategies to deal with any violence that may occur.

Nurses union secretary Brett Holmes said a policy of zero tolerance had been adopted towards violent acts in hospitals, and abuse directed at health workers in general by Health Minister Craig Knowles, with the catch phrase ‘Violence is not, and never should be part of our job’.

Mr Holmes said that health workers must apply continuous pressure so the department does not drop the ball on issues of safety and security.

He said that his greatest challenge was interviewing staff following the recent tragedy at Kempsey when a patient was killed and two nurses seriously injured. Mr Holmes said the entire community felt the impact of that horrendous act of violence.

The hospital closed soon after the incident and on July 5 the Nurses Association met with the Health Minister which resulted in a statewide safety and security audit.

According to Mr Holmes, the audit identified systemic problems in Area Health Services.

Mr Holmes said one security guard does not solve the problem.

Inspector Brian Daley from Bowral Police also addressed the meeting, assisted by Sgt Dave Trantner, and outlined the fact that although Bowral Hospital is in a rural area, and traditionally rural and regional areas have been less affected by acts of violence in hospitals, the Southern Highlands is now facing the prospect of gaining city problems.