Health centre assaults double

Assaults surge at Geelong health centres

ASSAULT offences at Geelong’s health centres have more than doubled, alarming new data has revealed.

The number of assaultrelated offences recorded at Greater Geelong health locations surged from 26 in the 12 months to March 2019 to 58 the following year.

“I would urge everyone to be patient, we are working in unprecedented times with increased pressures,” Western Victoria Primary Health Network clinical spokeswoman and Torquay GP Anne Stephenson said.

ASSAULT offences at Geelong’s health centres have more than doubled, alarming new data has revealed.

The number of assault-related offences recorded at Greater Geelong health locations surged from 26 in the 12 months to March 2019 to 58 the following year.

Assault-related offences at health centres in the municipality have steadily increased over the past four years, Crime Statistics Agency data shows.

Barwon Health spokeswoman Kate Bibby said the health service had had a 35 per cent reduction in violent and aggressive incidents resulting in injury during the 2019-20 financial year.

“The community has shown patience and understanding during the coronavirus pandemic and the overwhelming majority of people in the community respect healthcare workers,” Ms Bibby said.

“However, there are occasions of violence and aggression directed to our staff, which may be driven by underlying medical conditions.

“There has been no increase in violence amid the pandemic response.”

Analysis of earlier Barwon Health annual report data showed occupational violent incident reports jumped 57 per cent between 2017-18 and 2018-19.

There were 1233 occupational violence incidents — which can include an employee being abused, threatened or assaulted — reported in 2018-19.

Barwon Heath has previously said an increase in occupational violence and aggression could be attributed to factors including population growth, an improved reporting culture and an increase in patients presenting under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Western Victoria Primary Health Network clinical spokeswoman and Torquay GP Anne Stephenson said she had heard of some isolated cases where people had been aggressive toward people working in health services.

“I would urge everyone to be patient, we are working in unprecedented times with increased pressures,” Dr Stephenson said.

“There is never an excuse to be aggressive toward people who are trying to help you.”

Overall offences recorded at health locations in Greater Geelong increased from 167 in the 12 months to March 2019, to 227 in the 12 months to March this year.

Theft and burglary and break and enter offences increased at Greater Geelong’s health locations, the Crime Statistics Agency data obtained by the Geelong Advertiser shows.

Theft increased from 40 in the 12 months to March 2019 to 52 in the following year, while burglary and break and enter offences increased from nine to 21.

There were 11 sexual offences recorded in the year to March, down from 18 in the previous 12 months.

Drug use and possession offences also dropped, from 11 to five.