The Health Service in charge of the North Coast Area has risen to the occasion to offer protection to its staff on duty.

After a patient caused the death of another fellow patient in 2001, and also caused bodily harm to several other patients at Kempsey hospital, the state government got its act together to beef up the security at hospitals. Yet, the nurses' association is not satisfied with the safety measures in several hospitals on the north coast.

NSW Health has reiterated its commitment to the cause of security, having spruced up the security facilities to include closed circuit cameras across the state, duress alarms and mores security personnel. Adequate training has been imparted to personnel to handle tricky and sensitive situations well.