Police patrol Charges over car theft
Hospital protest: Mental health staff unhappy at staffing levels amid violent assaults by some patients. Picture: Gary Sissons
Mental health staff fears for safety Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au MENTAL health workers walked off the job for two hours on Tuesday 9 August in protest over “violent incidents and increasing demand” at Peninsula Community Mental Health Service at Frankston Hospital. The Health and Community Services Union (HACSU) said extra staffing and safety for staff should be a top priority and is demanding a new enterprise bargaining agreement “to improve service delivery, staffing levels and safety for workers and consumers”. “We need a system that meets the demand, we need to attract, retain and value the work of mental health workers
in order to meet this demand,” HSU representative Paul Healey said. “The Victorian government must invest in this area or it will pay a heavier price down the track with people becoming marginalised, creating social dislocation and suffering.” Mr Healey said violent attacks on staff are “not uncommon”. “Clinicians have been pinned down, spat on and assaulted.” Peninsula Health nursing acting executive director Fiona Reed said: “Peninsula Health values our staff who work in mental health and respects their right to participate in industrial action.” EBA negotiations are being held between the HACSU, Victorian Health Industry Association and the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.
“Peninsula Health is not involved in these negotiations,” Ms Reed said. The staff’s strike action came just a week after Premier Daniel Andrews visited Frankston Hospital to announce a $27 million program aimed at increasing workforce training, school-based support and mental health literacy program within several regions including Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula. A spokeswoman for Mental Health Minister Martin Foley said the government hopes to agree a new EBA for mental health workers soon amid talks to resolve “final points”. “We recognise that people working in our mental health system do vital work in a difficult environment,” Hayley McNaughton said.
A CARRUM Downs man has been remanded to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court after allegedly ramming a police car in a stolen Ford Mustang sports car early Saturday morning, 20 August. The 24-year-old will face charges of burglary, car theft, key theft, dangerous and careless driving, reckless endangerment, possessing drugs and possessing the proceeds of crime. The Mustang was one of seven cars stolen from the Wignall Ford Frankston dealership, Overton Rd, around 3.30am that day. Police will allege the offenders used a crow bar to jemmy open the key safe before stealing the Mustang, three Territory SUVs, two G6E sedans and a Ranger. One of the G6E sedans was found burnt out in Hillcrest Av, Frankston. Two cars were recovered in Seaford and a fourth at Lynbrook. Police are still looking for two Ford Territory SUVs – white and blue – and silver Ford Ranger. Police were still looking for two Territories and a Ranger on Monday morning. Later on the Saturday police were called to apprehend a Mustang being driving erratically in Narre Warren South. They managed to hem the car in when it became stuck in traffic at Lyndhurst, with the driver allegedly ramming the police car in a foiled escape bid. The court date has yet to be fixed.
Stalking arrest POLICE arrested a man on Wednesday 24 August after an alleged stalk-
ing incident at a shopping centre in Frankston last month. They allege a 41-year-old man followed two women around the centre on Beach St, 5pm, 7 July. He was released pending summons and is expected to be charged with possession of a drug of dependence and stalking. Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au
Drive for safety POLICE are urging motorists to make the roads around the footy-finals series matches incident-free this month and next. Senior Sergeant Justin Watson, of Frankston police, said potential drinkdrivers should make alternative arrangements to get home after a game. “We have previously had good behaviour from fans of the MPNFL and Nepean leagues and we look forward to an incident-free period this year,” he said.
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