Health safety funding
STRONG winds with peak gusts of up to 90km/h are expected to batter Geelong this morning.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning yesterday.
Duty forecaster Stephen King said a cold front would hit Geelong from 7am today. Strong winds averaging 5060km/h, with gusts of up to 90km/h, are expected to batter Geelong until about 11am.
Winds are then expected to ease off, making way for a reasonably warm afternoon with a top of 23C.
Mr King said surrounding coastal areas, including the A DURESS alarm system and additional CCTV cameras will form part of a $430,000 boost to security at Barwon Health sites.
The State Government funding forms part of a $7 million announcement by Health Minister Jill Hennessy aimed at keeping frontline hospital staff safe from violence at work.
The rollout of new safety equipment at 11 metropolitan health services, and 11 in regional and rural Victoria, includes expanding the trials of stab-proof vests and body cameras in Melbourne.
Barwon Health received Bellarine and Surf Coast, will be hit by strong winds, with peak gusts predicted to hit 100km/h.
The SES is warning residents to move vehicles under cover or away from trees, secure loose items and keep clear of fallen power lines.
The warning comes days after Geelong was hit by a freak storm on Sunday afternoon. Residents described the fierce storm as a “like a mini-hurricane”. Patrons were evacuated from popular waterfront venue The Pier when its roof was ripped off by strong winds.
“This money will help deliver on our promise to reduce violence at hospitals and mental health services, including Barwon Health,” he said.
“It’s about boosting safety for everyone — especially frontline workers who care for us and save Victorian lives.”
As part of the boost, Melbourne’s St Vincent’s hospital will receive the 22 stab-proof vests and more body cameras will be provided at Dandenong Hospital and Monash Medical Centre at Clayton.
The move to protect frontline hospital staff comes amid a court case of a man accused of fatally punching a surgeon outside a Melbourne hospital after the alleged aggressor was asked to stop smoking.