Australia: No Place for Violence and Aggression Towards Staff in our Hospitals

Press Release, Tasmanian Government Communications Unit

The Minister for Health and Human Services, Lara Giddings, today condemned aggression towards staff in hospitals and said all hospitals had comprehensive security systems in place to deal with it.

Ms Giddings said all hospitals took staff safety seriously and were committed to providing a workplace free of abuse and harassment.

“Aggression in the workplace is totally unacceptable,” Ms Giddings said.

“I can confirm that the number of aggression incidents reported in the 12 months to January 2008 were 198 at the RHH, 55 at the LGH and 104 at the NWRH.

“Mr Whiteley would be well aware of these numbers as they were provided to him in a recent Freedom of Information request.”

Ms Giddings said that while hospitals can be a stressful place for patients and their families, there was no excuse for aggressive and violent behaviour.

“The Secretary of my Department has made aggression management a priority area and will be reviewing health and safety standards across the agency and launching new programs to address this issue.”

Ms Giddings said security measures in place at all major hospitals included on-site security personnel 24 hours a day to assist in the management of aggressive behaviour should this be required.

“Security cameras are in place in all key areas to provide 24-hour surveillance.

“Staff in areas prone to aggression incidents are issued with duress alarms.

“Each hospital has procedures in place – known as a Code Black response – to deal with escalating aggression. This is initiated by staff themselves.

“Training is also available for all staff who may be required to manage aggression in the workplace.

“The number of Code Blacks last year shows the system is working.

“However, this is a problem which can only be fixed by a change of attitude at a community level.

“People need to understand that no level of violence or aggression directed at a hospital staff member is acceptable.”

Ms Giddings clarified a remark she made in State Parliament this morning.

“I said that the recent evacuation of the Royal Hobart Hospital due to flooding was a Code Red alert. I have been advised that it was in fact a Code Yellow alert,” Ms Giddings said.