Tasmania hospitals ED: Former cop Geoffrey Smith to lead security review in wake of doctor stabbing

Tasmania’s Department of Health has announced a decorated former police commander will lead an independent review of emergency department security. Here’s what it will examine.

North West Regional Hospital. Picture: AAP/Simon Sturzaker

Tasmania’s Department of Health says it has engaged security experts, including former Tasmania Police Commander Geoff Smith, to independently review security and safety protocols in the state’s emergency departments in the wake of a doctor’s stabbing.

On April 9 at about 4.30pm, a doctor was allegedly stabbed by a 17-year-old youth in North West Regional Hospital (NWRH) at Cooee’s emergency department.

The doctor was flown to the Royal Hobart Hospital in a critical condition. By April 11, his condition had been downgraded to stable.

The teenager was charged with wounding and two counts of threatening police and has since faced the Burnie Youth Justice Court.

On Wednesday, the department announced the independent review as part of its “ongoing response to (the) security incident”.

Alexander James & Partners managing director Geoffrey Smith, an ex-Tasmania Police commander, has been appointed to lead an independent security review of Tasmania's hospital emergency departments. Picture: Alexander James & Partners

Mr Smith will lead the review, which will examine current security measures in place at NWRH’s emergency department to identify where improvements can be made.

The review will look at the current security officer model and resources, staff induction processes and security training, and consider whether other measures or improvements are needed, including consideration of duress alarms and protective clothing, the department said in its statement.

Security recommendations from the review will then be implemented in other EDs across the state.

Representatives from the department have met with unions and other key stakeholders, and will continue to engage strongly during this review to seek their feedback on improvements.

The immediate review is due to be completed by October 2023 and a project team has been established to take action on interim recommendations as they rise and implement outcomes from the independent review.

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Following discussions with unions and other key stakeholders, the department has also committed to developing and implementing a similar guide to the Victorian 10 point plan to end violence and aggression towards healthcare workers.

The Victorian 10 point plan was developed to assist with controlling the risks associated with occupational violence and aggression perpetrated against healthcare workers from sources external to the workplace, such as patients and visitors.

The plan will be updated to reflect the Tasmanian context and will be implemented in EDs as a priority, before being rolled out to all health facilities across the State.

Dale Webster, Deputy Secretary for Hospitals and Primary Care, said the appointment indicated how serious the department was about its review.

“I’m pleased to engage someone with Geoff’s security expertise and knowledge of the North-West to lead this independent review into security and safety protocols in our Emergency Departments,” said Mr Webster

“Geoff is the Managing Partner of security and risk advisory practice, Alexander James & Partners and has over 40 years of policing experience, including as Police Commander, Tasmania Police Western District and leadership of various specialist policing units such as Tasmania Police’s Counter-Terrorism Command.

“Importantly, during his career, he has led national initiatives in reviewing the private security industry and enhancing police protective security capability.”