Minister for Health Jill Hennessy says the Victorian Government’s new Health Service Violence Prevention Fund will benefit 11 metropolitan health services and 11 regional and rural health services, of which 14 are health services with mental health services.
The funds will cover more CCTV systems, duress alarms, access control doors, as well as projects to redesign waiting areas, build sensory rooms and redesign entrances.
The government also says it is investing an extra $20 million in the Health Service Violence Fund to cover new behavioural assessment rooms at 16 Victorian hospitals to better manage and assess patients who may place themselves, staff or others at risk of harm.
An extra 123 full-time equivalent security guards will be deployed to 30 hospitals across 43 hospital sites in Victoria.
The changes further include a requirement to implement a clear and standardised Code Grey policy for responding to, preventing or reducing a violent situation.
“Our hardworking doctors, nurses, and paramedics are not punching bags. Abuse is not part of the job and won’t be tolerated,” Ms Hennessy said.
“This fund delivers on our promise to reduce violence at hospitals and mental health services by making them safer for all, especially health workers are front-line caring for us and saving lives.”
Around 95 per cent of healthcare workers have experienced physical or verbal attacks at work.
“Our dedicated mental health workers look after Victorians at their most vulnerable. They deserve our respect and protection from violence and aggression,” said Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley.
Credit: OHS Career (20/08/2018).