Lismore health workers are safe, insist health experts after last weeks assault on a registered nurse at Lismore Base Hospital.

Chief Executive, Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) Wayne Jones said in a statement that Northern NSW Local Health District has robust security measures and strict policies in place to protect staff, patients and visitors and to respond to any aggressive behaviour.

"A duress alert was called, and security staff immediately assisted when a staff member was assaulted in the emergency department on the evening of 15 August.

"We are continuing to support this staff member, including assistance from senior management and the Workplace Health and Safety Team.

"We are also assisting police with their enquiries," Mr Jones said.

He explained that while some patients may have underlying clinical conditions that can cause challenging and aggressive behaviours, NNSWLHD takes a zero tolerance approach to violence and aggression in their facilities.

Health Services Union Lismore organiser Peter Kelly said the duress response is great yet the union's stance is more on the preventative measures that take place when a person is admitted to ER.

"The clinician sees the patient first and then consults with security to manage that patient," he said.

Mr Kelly said that communication between clinicians and security is paramount in preventing incidents like what occurred on the 15th August.

Secretary of Health Services Union Gerard Hayes said that due to increased community stress, hospital security is a greater challenge than ever.

"The hospital workforce are sick of being on the receiving end of violence.

"We need extra security officers employed with special constable powers and we need them now."

$19 million has been invested at public hospitals to improve security in emergency departments with an extra $5 million spent on duress alarms for staff in emergency departments.

"At Lismore Base Hospital this includes an additional health and security assistant in the emergency department overnight and ongoing training to prepare staff for violent or aggressive behaviour," Mr Jones said.

Last week Lismore Police charged a 37 year-old Lismore woman with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm, and assault authorised officer in exercise etc of functions (Public Health Act 2010). She was issued with a future Court Attendance Notice to appear at Lismore Local Court on 12th October 2020.