The Health Services Union has challenged the Illawarra-Shoalhaven Health District to provide evidence that Milton-Ulladulla Hospital is adequately staffed, ahead of an August 1 strike.
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"I would challenge them to provide the documentation to support the claim [that Milton-Ulladulla Hospital has two security staff rostered on at all times]," said HSU spokesperson Josh Howarth.
"There is a staffing shortfall which results in shifts not being covered.
"Security staff are required for patient transports as well, and those shifts aren't covered, leaving one staff member at the hospital."
Mr Howarth made the challenge in response to the Health District's statement on July 18 that Milton-Ulladulla Hospital security workers were adequately staffed.
"At Milton Ulladulla Hospital, two security staff members are assigned to each shift," a district spokesperson said.
The South Coast Register asked the health district for documents that demonstrate staffing levels at Milton-Ulladulla Hospital, however, the health district has declined to provide any documentation, saying their previous statement still stands.
Health declined to make any further comments.
Mr Howarth says security staff are also required to step into nursing roles at Shoalhaven hospitals, due to a lack of nursing resources, leaving less security staff on the floor to protect patients, staff and visitors.
"Security officers are sitting one-to-one with patients with mental health and drug and alcohol issues to control them," he said.
"They are not qualified to do so - this is a nursing role, but the nursing resources aren't there. Health says this does not occur."
Mr Howarth supported the claims of employees that external lights in the hospital precinct were not functional, endangering staff, patients and visitors.
He confirmed employees claims that security staff were not replaced when required to go off-site for extended periods of time to assist with patient transport.
He said security staff at Shoalhaven District Hospital were often required to assist with prisoners from the South Coast Correctional Facility requiring medical treatment.
22,000 HSU staff statewide - including security, allied health, catering and administration staff and paramedics - will strike for four hours on August 1.
The NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association is supporting the HSU campaign, but nurses will remain at patients' bedsides during the action.
