The NSW government has launched a high-level hospital safety taskforce as part of its efforts to keep the state’s health workforce safe from violence on the job.
Led by SafeWork NSW, the formation of the Hospital Industry Action Group comes as the Government continues rolling out a trial of body-worn cameras for hospital security guards.
The Hospital Industry Action Group will invite representatives from NSW Health, private hospitals, SafeWork NSW and unions to work on key critical safety issues affecting hospital staff, primarily violence and aggression.
A survey from the Australian Workers’ Union and Head First found 40% of health and community services workers were exposed to violent or traumatic events at work. This was higher than industries such as construction (15%), manufacturing (8%) and mining (15%).
“The launch of this Hospital Industry Action Group is essential to helping protect the hardworking staff in our NSW public hospitals,” said NSW Minister for Health, Ryan Park.
There are 23 SafeWork inspectors involved in the compliance operation in NSW hospitals. The action group will use data, intelligence and insights from stakeholders to prevent work-related violence, the Government said in a statement.
The health care and social assistance sector is the largest and fastest growing in the state, accounting for over 60,000 workers in NSW.
“All NSW hospitals should be free from work-related violence and aggression so workers can safely deliver high-quality care,” said SafeWork NSW Commissioner, Janet Schorer.
“The Hospital Industry Action Group brings together representatives from across the health sector in NSW with a shared vision to safer workplaces for our hospital staff.
“Worker safety and care is just as important as patient safety and care.”
The Group will leverage data, intelligence and insights from stakeholders to build on the work of the Action Against Violence in NSW Hospitals Working Group, which has worked with representatives across the health sector to prevent work-related violence in NSW hospitals.
Some key achievements of the Working Group include the development of a toolkit to address work related violence in the hospital system, as well as a webinar series on preventing and managing work-related violence and aggression.
This builds on the Minns Labor Government’s work to keep people safe in NSW public hospitals, including: the trial of body worn cameras trial; increasing the number of security personnel across the system; improving workplace safety culture; the use of closed-circuit television and controlling public access to restricted areas; and standardising security practices across NSW Health facilities.
All staff in NSW public hospitals have ways to summon assistance which may include a personal mobile or fixed duress alarm. Staff are encouraged to summon the Code Black team response early, to minimise the risk of injury to staff and patients and prevent further escalation of a situation.
“We cannot accept violence and aggression being directed at our tireless hospital workers. They take care of us when we are vulnerable, and they take pride in doing so. We very much welcome this action from the Minns Government to improve safety for hospital workers,” said Health Services Union Secretary, Gerard Hayes.
“We know violent incidents are increasing in our hospitals and we must be taking steps like this to address it. If we want to attract and retain hospital workers, we need to ensure they are safe environments, both physically and psychologically.”
The Government says the Hospital Industry Action Group will work collectively on key critical safety issues, such as patient handling, slips, trips and falls and psychosocial hazards affecting hospital staff.
“The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association looks forward to being part of the new Hospital Industry Action Group,” said NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association, General Secretary, Shaye Candish.
“This action group must drive the changes that protect our members at work and ensures nurses and midwives’ voices are at the table.”
Workers who have concerns about workplace health and safety can anonymously contact SafeWork on 13 10 50 or through the Speak Up Save Lives website at https://speakup.safework.nsw.gov.au/.
For information on safety in the health sector, visit the SafeWork NSW website at https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/your-industry/health-care-and-social-assistance .
