Data shows 15 incidents of violence against health workers are being reported every week

Assaults on Victoria’s hospital staff have doubled in just three years, with new calls for urgent action to protect them.

Assaults on hospital staff have doubled in just three years sparking renewed calls for action to protect critical health workers.

New data from the Health Workers Union shows on average 15 incidents of violence against health workers are being reported every week.

Incidents have increased from an average of 8.5 reports weekly in 2019.

The state opposition this week pledged to station armed PSOs at five major Victorian hospitals in a 24/7 security role if it wins government.

But the proposal was widely criticised by the health sector amid calls for better internal systems to address aggression.

“The Health Workers Union currently receives an average of 15 calls or cases per week in relation to violence against health workers,” HWU secretary Diana Asmar said.

The rate of violence against hospital workers has increased since 2019.

“The number is nearly double what it was just three years ago.

“It’s difficult to know why we’re seeing this significant spike – whether it’s mental health pressures, increased drug use in the community, or if it’s pandemic-related. But whatever the reason, HWU members on the frontline are copping ongoing abuse and violence”.

Ms Asmar hit out at the Andrews Government accusing it of reneging on a plan to train hospital staff to deal with violent incidents.

Ahead of the 2018 election Daniel Andrews announced a training and skills program to keep frontline staff safe from violence.

The Health Workers Union says its members are on the frontline ‘copping ongoing abuse and violence’.

He also pledged $2.2m to train frontline workers to respond to occupational violence.

It led to the creation of the Health Education Federation and a comprehensive pilot training program.

But Ms Asmar said the promised funding for the training delivered just three sessions.

“Violent events occur frequently to all levels of staff employed in hospital settings,” she said.

“Events are spontaneous and can last seconds or minutes.

“Staff have no training to protect themselves and have not been equipped with the skills to de-escalate situations.

“The policy of the alternate Premier this week to employ 75 gun-wielding Protective Services Officers to deal with this violence will not work.

Violent events are occurring to all levels of hospital staff, the union says.

“The Premier’s initial intentions to fix this issue, to date, have not been actioned.

“Victorian health workers deserve and are entitled to uniform training, so that frontline health workers know how to diffuse and de-escalate acts of violence and protect themselves when things go wrong.”

Paula Johnson, a Patient Service Assistant, was bashed by a patient while working at Frankston Hospital in 2016.

Her back was broken in the savage attack and six years on she is still undergoing surgeries to repair the damage.

“We’re getting hit, spat on, verbally abused and threatened with death,” Ms Johnson said.

“You shouldn’t have to come to work with that on your mind.

“We need better training, more security and more staff. All we have for protection is a pair of blue gloves and some spit goggles.”

There are calls for better training so health workers know how to diffuse and de-escalate acts of violence.

Ms Johnson said under-trained staff were not equipped to deal with violent patients who generally had mental health issues or were affected by drugs.

A Royal Melbourne Hospital study in 2020 found more than 90 per cent of drug-fuelled violence towards hospital workers was due to ice.

Drugs had been taken in 40 per cent of attacks and threatening incidents where security guards had to be called, with 92 per cent on ice.

In 2011, a Parliamentary Inquiry recommended that PSOs not be employed in Victorian hospitals and health services.

The finding was supported by the then Liberal government.

But Ms Johnson said the initiative was long overdue, but said PSOs should be armed with tasers not guns.

Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier backed the Coalitions PSO plan.

“For years the Andrews Labor Government has failed to act on rising rates of occupational violence within our hospitals,” she said.

“As a former nurse and midwife with almost 20 years clinical experience, I know the importance of having appropriate measures in place to keep staff and patients safe.

“Victoria Police are currently called to hospital every single day. Our plan will mean a quicker response to calls for assistance from hospitals and help make hospitals a safer place for all.”