Every day staff are struck, kicked, yelled at, threatened, sworn at, and even spat on. See how they are fighting back.
A Victorian health service has launched a safety and awareness campaign in response to a surge in violence and aggression towards staff members, with an average of 30 to 40 incidents reported by staff each week.
Albury Wodonga Health has established the ‘It’s OK To Step Away’ initiative to empower staff to manage and report violent incidents more effectively after violence and aggression towards staff rose by 80% in 2023.
The surge has forced a number of employees to take mental health leave or quit the health sector altogether.
Executive director for mental health and public health at Albury Wondonga Health, Lucie Shanahan, told the ABC that staff members had experienced a range of physical and verbal abuse, with some requiring medical attention after being assaulted by a patient.
“We see staff being struck, kicked, having implements thrown at them, rammed by pieces of equipment, we see staff being spat on,” said Ms Shanahan.
“People being yelled at, sworn at, called names, threats made against staff, threats made against staff’s family members — it’s extremely alarming.”
The majority of violent and aggressive incidents recorded last year occurred in the emergency department at Albury Hospital, followed by the inpatient and mental health unit and medical wards, a spokesperson for Albury Wodonga Health told the ABC.
Compared to Wodonga Hospital’s emergency department, Albury Hospital’s ED recorded four times more violent and aggressive incidents each month in 2023, the spokesperson said.
According to Ms Shanahan, frustration at escalating wait times and societal pressures such as the cost-of-living crisis were primarily responsible for the sharp rise in violence, although increased reporting of violent incidents by staff was also a contributing factor.
“We have invested in training and support for staff, and as a consequence of that, staff are now more able to identify situations that qualify as occupational violence and aggression. Our reporting numbers have increased as a consequence,” she said.
“[Violence and aggression] has always been there at such a high level, but it hasn’t been so apparent.
“The concerning thing about that is we still think incidents are under-reported.”