The NSW Government has established a taskforce to advise on ways to enhance the safety for staff, patients, and visitors across the state’s public health system.
The NSW Health Safety Taskforce, which met for the first time last week, is made up of representatives from unions, and NSW Health, including Sydney, Western Sydney and Western NSW Local Health Districts.
The Government says the work of the Taskforce will focus on measures and provide suggestions to the Minister for Health and Minister for Regional Health to:
- improve hospital security systems and workforce capability;
- reduce the incidence and impact of occupational violence;
- strengthen prevention, response and recovery frameworks for workplace incidents;
- ensure consistent and effective approaches across NSW Health facilities;
- support workplace safety, wellbeing and retention.
The Taskforce will meet monthly and report progress to the Minister for Health and Minister for Regional Health and the Secretary NSW Health.
“The safety of our healthcare staff and patients is a priority and the Minns Government has a zero-tolerance approach to violence and aggression in our public hospitals,” said Health Minister, Ryan Park.
“If you are acting aggressively towards others, you do not have a right to remain on hospital premises.
“The Safety Taskforce will provide valuable insights into how we can build on work already being undertaken by health staff, to reduce instances of violence and aggression in our health system.”
The Minister said NSW Health is also ensuring security staff have the authority to direct and escort individuals from hospital premises when their behaviour creates a risk.
Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation of NSW (ASMOF) President, Dr Nicholas Spooner welcomed news of the new taskforce.
“Every doctor has the right to come to work without fear of violence, threats, aggression or intimidation. Violence against healthcare workers is unacceptable and should never be accepted as part of working in our public hospitals,” he said.
“Our members have repeatedly raised concerns about increasing incidents of occupational violence. We look forward to working with NSW Health, the Government and other unions to ensure the Taskforce delivers meaningful improvements to safety across the public health system.”
Security staff in NSW Health play a vital role supporting clinical staff in NSW Health. Updated information is being provided to all staff to ensure they understand this role Specialised training is being explored to support their work.
NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association General Secretary, Michael Whaites said physical violence and verbal aggression towards nurses and midwives is on the rise.
“Our recently released report, ‘Occupational Violence: has no place in my workplace’ outlined that 88% of nurses and midwives surveyed had experienced violence in the last year, with public sector staff most commonly at risk,” he said.
“This is unacceptable. Nurses and midwives should feel safe at work. We welcome the establishment of the Safety Taskforce and will work to ensure that it delivers meaningful change as quickly as possible.”
