Worst places in Qld for attacks on health workers

Queensland health workers are being subjected to 50 acts of physical, verbal or online abuse a day, with violent incidents increasing in nearly every region across the state.

Townsville University Hospital

Queensland health workers are being subjected to 50 acts of physical, verbal or online abuse a day, with violent incidents increasing in nearly every region across the state.

The disturbing new data comes as another major hospital considers allowing security officers to restrain patients with handcuffs in extreme cases of aggression.

It’s also prompted Labor to announce on Monday that, if re-elected in Saturday’s state election, it would invest another $20 million to hire an additional 150 security officers.

This is despite Queensland Health failing to confirm how many of the up to 82 new full-time equivalent security officers and ambassadors promised in 2023 had been recruited and to what hospitals.

Queensland Health data released to The Courier-Mail under Right to Information has revealed there were 9298 occupational violence incidents between January and June this year — the equivalent of 51 a day across 16 hospital and health services and the department.

This is up from the 42 a day recorded in 2023, where there was a total of 15,422 incidents.

Every hospital and health service except Townsville and Mackay has recorded higher daily rates of occupational violence so far this year with Metro South, Metro North and Cairns the worst three.

Actual physical and verbal aggressions were the most common forms of violence health workers were subjected to.

In June, a health security officer at the Townsville University Hospital was allegedly stabbed in the abdomen by a 69-year-old patient in the surgical ward.

The injured officer remains off work.

This incident sparked a critical incident review amid Queensland Health undertaking a statewide review of personal protective equipment like stab-proof vests for security officers.

It has now been confirmed that review, led by the Queensland Occupational Violence Strategy Unit, won’t be completed by April 2025.

It can also be revealed the TUH could next year become the next public hospital to allow the use of “mechanical wrist restraint devices” in cases of extreme aggression, violence, or when a patient is posing a serious threat to themselves or others.

Hospital assaults are in plague proportions in Queensland.

Townsville HHS chief executive Kieran Keyes said he approved the implementation of the handcuffs for health security officers, subject to the completion of a consultation process.

“That consultation process is still ongoing and is expected to conclude at the end of 2024,” he said.

“A final decision regarding implementation will be made based on the findings from the consultation process.”

Mr Keyes said the restraints would only be used by officers who have undergone extensive training.

There are no plans to allow the use of the handcuffs at all Townsville HHS facilities.

The handcuffs are already in use within the Metro North HHS and at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

A Queensland Health spokesperson said each HHS had the flexibility to implement tailored security measures, including staff PPE, while all facilities had to adhere to Australian standards for security measures.

“The increase in reported incidents reflects a growing culture of reporting within HHSs,” the spokesperson said.

Labor’s $20 million additional 150 security officer promise is on top of the almost $38 million announced in 2023 to hire an additional 70 security officers and 12 ambassadors, more CCTV and fixed and personal duress alarms in high-risk areas as well as body worn cameras.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said everyone deserved to feel safe while they’re doing their job.

“It’s crucial we invest in the health workforce to ensure Queenslanders continue to receive

world-class healthcare in a safe environment,” she said.

Logan Hospital

VIOLENCE IMPACTS EVERY SHIFT

About a quarter of emergency department staff at Logan Hospital experienced or witnessed violence during every shift, as plans for an on-site Police Beat continue 18 months after a space was identified.

The shocking extent of occupational violence at the busy Metro South Hospital and Health Service facility has been laid bare in documents obtained by The Courier-Mail under Right to Information.

In a ministerial briefing note obtained under RTI dated May 15, 2023 issues of significant occupational violence incidents in the Logan Hospital’s emergency department were raised.

The note stated over 76 per cent of ED staff experienced or witnessed occupational violence at least once per month, over 24 per cent experienced or witnessed it every shift and ED staff required the assistance of security to deal with violent or aggressive patients more than 350 times per month.

The briefing revealed that the response to occupational violence in the ED was clinically led by senior medical and nursing staff, resulting in them being pulled away from their principal clinical duties.

“The senior ED team report that this disruption has a negative impact on patient care and flow throughout the department,” the briefing note states.

In response to concerns from staff, Queensland Health stated in the briefing note that a Police Beat had been committed to after space was identified amid the hospital’s expansion.

It stated hospital leadership had chosen a preferred location and the space would “become available before the end of the financial year” and that police would soon be viewing it to see if it met their requirements.

In response, Queensland Health said “consultations with staff are ongoing”.

A Queensland Police spokesperson said a meeting was held on at the hospital with Metro South Health staff earlier this year to review the footprint.

“Consultation is ongoing between Metro South Health and the QPS, and work is continuing to negotiate and finalise a memorandum of understanding,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said the QPS had provided a hospital liaison presence at Logan Hospital for many years.

Last week, Premier Steven Miles said a re-elected Queensland Labor government would deliver 10 new permanent police beats across the state.

All the locations are yet to be confirmed.

Originally published as Worst places in Qld for attacks on health workers