Napa State Hospital Workers To Voice Ongoing Safety Concerns at Monday Event

Napa State Hospital employees, who say they were injured or assaulted on the job, will speak Monday -- June 9 -- at noon at the hospital's entrance demanding increased safety and services throughout 
California’s state-hospital system.

The employee members of the statewide Safety Now Coalition say changes and improvements have been made, but they are not enough. 

Here is their statement: 

"Almost four years after the on-grounds murder of Napa State Hospital Psychiatric Technician Donna Gross by a patient, safety changes have taken place in California’s state-hospital system. 

"Through collaborative efforts between dedicated front-line staff, state legislators, Cal/OSHA and the Department of State Hospitals, new state-hospital alarm systems are rolling out in these facilities, grounds-patrol teams are taking root and there is an increased hospital-police presence.

"But violence in state hospitals continues.

"Several recent incidents at NSH and other state hospitals including:

•  the May 24 assault of a NSH Psychiatric Technician, 

• the May 27 beating of a NSH Psychologist, the May 30 beating of a NSH Social Worker, 

• the June 1 assault of a NSH Psychiatrist, 

• the June 4 assault of an NSH patient 

• and the May 28 murder of a patient by another patient at Atascadero State Hospital 

– show that further changes must happen. 

"A major change that employees are demanding is for Enhanced Treatment Programs outlined in California Assembly Bill 1340 (Achadjian), which would create specialized intensive services for patients with the most assaultive behaviors." 

A hearing on AB 1340 is scheduled at the State Capitol Wednesday, June 11.

Previous coverage: 

• Patient Assaults Worker at Napa State Hospital.

• Yamada Sets Hearing Wednesday in Napa on State Hospital Safety.

• Napa State Hospital, Law Enforcement Struggle With Increase In Aggressive Patients.

• Napa State Hospital Patient Faces Arraignment for Sex Attack on Staffer.

• Staffer Attacked, Patient Arrested at Napa State.

• Memorial Set Wednesday for Slain Napa State Hospital Worker.

• Napa State Hospital Unions Plan Memorial for Murdered Worker.

• State Hospital Safety Bill Headed for Legislative Hearing.

• Assemblyman Responds to Latest Death at Napa State Hospital.

• Napa State Hospital Worker Injured by Patient.

• KTVU: Another Attack at Napa State Hospital.