BITTEN BELTED SPAT ON
REVEALED: ATTACKS ON HOSPITAL STAFF SKYROCKET
VIOLENCE towards staff at the Townsville Hospital has dramatically increased this year, with more than two assaults occurring every day on average.
There were 214 occupational violence incidents at the hospital in the three months to March 31, which is about 2.4 assaults per day. This is up from an average of 1.8 per day in 2017.
The staggering new data comes as the hospital rolls out 15 body- worn cameras for security staff to record incidents in an effort to deter offenders.
SECURITY is being ramped up at the Townsville Hospital to protect health workers as new data reveals a staggering increase in physical and verbal assaults against staff.
There have been 214 occupational violence incidents at the hospital in the three months to March 31, which is about 2.4 assaults every day on average.
Last year there were 687 incidents in total, equivalent to 1.8 per day. The hospital has this week rolled out 15 body- worn cameras for security staff to record violent incidents.
Townsville Hospital emergency department deputy director Doctor Natalie Ly said her colleagues had been spat at, bitten, punched and hit by patients.
“It happens on a daily basis and it happens on any day of the week, it’s not something that’s categorised just to Friday or Saturday night,” she said.
Dr Ly said it was unacceptable that health staff felt “unsafe” at work.
“You feel horrible, you don’t rock up to work to care for people to be assaulted and abused in your environ- ment,” she said. Dr Ly said she was “hopeful” the body- worn cameras would deter offenders but suggested it may not go far enough.
“For some people ... either because of their health or because of drugs and alcohol this isn’t going to change very much,” she said. “But I think this is an important message that ... this behaviour is unacceptable.”
Dr Ly said she would support further measures “if necessary” including increased security and potentially a police presence within the hospital.
Communities, Disabilities Services and Seniors Minister Coralee O’Rourke said the hospital was “drawing a line in the sand” against abuse.
“If you punch, bite or spit on the people who are trying to care for you or your family you will be filmed and that footage will be given to the police to prosecute offenders,” she said.
Townsville MP Scott Stewart said there was no excuse for abuse against staff.
“Health workers are there to care for patients not become patients themselves,” he said.
Chair of the hospital’s board Tony Mooney said he had seen the violence first- hand.
“I’ve seen a patient brandishing a flag as a weapon, fights in the emergency department and objects thrown at staff,” he said.