SURGE IN VIOLENCE AGAINST HOSPITAL STAFF:

Hospital staff cop threats, violence

THREATS to Barwon Health staff while on the job have increased by close to a quarter over the past two years.

Most of the violent outbursts, nearly 40 per cent, occurred in Geelong’s hospital emergency department.

Barwon Health did not reveal the raw data, but said there had been a 23 per cent increase in “code grey” alerts for violent, aggressive and threatening behaviour.

In July, the health service revealed there had been 93 “code grey” alerts at the Swanston Centre mental health facility since January, and two “code black” alerts for armed or non-patient threats.

In its annual report released this week, Barwon Health said there were 785 violent incidents during the past financial year, with more than four in 10 full-time equivalent staff affected by an incident or hazard.

The hospital’s chief of workforce and culture Perry Muncaster said Barwon Health took all instances of violence and aggression towards staff seriously.

“The increase in instances can be attributed to population growth, improved reporting culture and an increase in patients presenting to hospital under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” Mr Muncaster said.

“Code blacks are rare. Seven code blacks were reported over the past two years across all sites.”

In the 2015-16 financial year, the first year of mandatory incident reporting, there were 516 violent cases recorded. That figure rose to 658 in 2016-17.

Mr Muncaster said clinically led response teams support- ed by security staff were usually able to de-escalate most situations by negotiating and communicating with distressed patients.

He said many “code greys” were brought on by delirious patients or older people experiencing medication side effects.

“Violence and aggression against our staff is never OK and our community has a role to play in respecting the very people that are caring for them,” Mr Muncaster said.

Barwon Health is planning the redevelopment of the emergency department to incorporate a mental health, drugs and alcohol hub, will include a behavioural assessment room.

The room, which will allow staff to assess and manage aggressive patients away from the general public, is expected to open by 2020.