Hobart City Council lord mayoral candidate Ryan Posselt is calling for urgent action after reports that Royal Hobart Hospital staff have been assaulted, followed and threatened while walking to and from their shifts.
Posselt, a councillor and paramedic, said the concerns were raised with him by a former Royal Hobart Hospital clinical psychologist.
He said the incidents reported to him include an alleged knife pursuit of a woman near the Brooker Highway and an alleged physical assault on a male oncology nurse who required time away from work.
Other workers have reportedly been threatened and verbally abused while walking to work, including around the railway roundabout tunnels.
Posselt said the incidents reported to him may represent only a small proportion of what staff have experienced, with some never formally recorded.
“These accounts are frightening. Healthcare workers dedicate their working lives to caring for other people. They have a right to feel safe when travelling to and from work,” Posselt said.
“Women should not have to choose between paying substantial private parking fees and walking alone through isolated areas before dawn or late at night.”
He said the problem was not confined to women, pointing to the assault on the nurse.
Posselt said he did not believe healthcare workers were being singled out.
“I don’t believe it’s targeting healthcare workers. I think that it’s opportunistic, people on the streets that are targeting people walking on their own,” he said.
He said the problem came down to the hours staff work, with some nurses starting at 6:30am and others finishing late at night.
Posselt wants the state government to pull together information held by the hospital, the Tasmanian Health Service and Tasmania Police and to give workers a confidential way to report what has happened to them.
He has pushed to open the Argyle Street Car Park 24 hours a day and believes that can be done within 18 months.
Posselt also wants a centralised multi-storey car park on the city fringe, linked to the hospital by a well-lit, monitored walking route or a shuttle bus.
He contrasted the situation with Launceston, where a $44 million seven-storey car park is being built at the Launceston General Hospital.
Posselt said he had raised the issue directly with the premier and health minister.
A state government spokesperson said the safety of all staff remained a priority.
“We are aware of the correspondence from Mr Posselt and will respond in due course,” the spokesperson said.
A Tasmania Police spokesperson said public safety was a priority and officers regularly conducted proactive patrols in the Hobart CBD and other public spaces.
“Tasmania Police advises all members of the public to keep their personal safety at the forefront of their activities, including when walking in the city at night,” the spokesperson said.
“Be aware of your surroundings and the potential actions of others.”
The spokesperson said anyone who noticed suspicious activity, felt threatened or witnessed an assault should contact police on 131 444 and to call Triple Zero if someone was in immediate danger.
The Department of Health has been contacted for comment.
