A state-run mental health service at Glenside has been put on notice and two staff suspended after an inquiry found nurses were relying too heavily on medication, isolation and restraining patients to manage their difficult behaviours. Staff at the 40-bed Glenside Inpatient Rehabilitation Service say they feel they are in “survival mode” at work and are fearful of “aggressive” patients. But some were found to have made disparaging comments about patients with severe mental illness or disability who were “not worth” the effort or cost to rehabilitate. A report released on Tuesday warned there was a big focus on security at the facility but at times it was “not clear whether there were any nurses on the floor”. A lack of training was identified as most nursing staff were unable to “demonstrate any knowledge” of the key methods of their roles. Staff injury rates and mental stress complaints were rising as nurses responded to “the most disabled and disturbed patients”. A “successful day” was described by nurses as “a day when no one gets hurt”. The number of patients fleeing the facility is also the highest in the nation. The unit was built a decade ago and offers long and short-term live-in treatment. Commissioned by the Central Adelaide Local Health Network and conducted by independent investigators, the report makes 30 recommendations, which have all been accepted. Allegations about the behaviour of two workers have been referred to SA Health Human Resources for investigation. Chief Psychiatrist John Brayley has applied conditions on the unit that require “intensive monitoring” by senior health staff and a new oversight committee. The report, which was sparked by complaints from staff, also found: HIGH turnover of staff, who work 12-hour shifts AN average age among nurses of 58 BULLYING among a “small number” of staff “NO clear system” to help staff deal with “high rates” of patients who are drug or alcohol-affected. The report notes that significant changes had already been made at the unit and these would “need to be sustained over a considerable period” to ensure cultural change. Mental Health Nursing co-director Lesley Legg said staff were taking part in new training courses. The facility was still accepting new patients.
