Canberra Liberals to push for another inquiry into Dhulwa Mental Health Unit

The call comes just days after ACT Minister for Mental Health Emma Davidson announced there would be an independent inquiry into governance at the site.

This inquiry was prompted after nurses reported more than 100 physical assaults at the facility over a six-month period.

It came following pressure from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, which publicly sounded alarm about conditions for staff at the facility last month.

Opposition health spokeswoman Leanne Castley said while the Canberra Liberals supported the independent inquiry more needed to be done to ensure better security now.

"This week we learned there were nine attacks on nurses in April and the union has said it is seriously concerned a nurse could lose their life at work," she said.

"While the Canberra Liberals have continually called for and welcomes an inquiry, Dhulwa nurses need increased security and better protection now."

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Ms Castley's motion will call for the Assembly's standing committee on health and community wellbeing to review the adequacy of current security arrangements at Dhulwa, staff numbers and roles and current procedures for staff responding to violent incidents.

The motion also criticises Ms Davidson, accusing the Minister for Mental Health of being slow to respond to calls for an inquiry.

In question time on Tuesday, Ms Davidson said the government was working on a range of measures to improve safety but did not specify exactly what the measures were.

"These things that we are putting in place are things that are being done in conversation with WorkSafe ACT and with the ANMF and we will continue to look at ways that [it] can be improved," she said.

"It is very important that any changes that are being made in the workplace are being done with the nurses involved and engaged in that work, and that is what we are endeavouring to do."

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