Violence in Healthcare: Is Anything Changing?

In 2011 the Victorian Government’s Inquiry into Violence and Security Arrangement in Victorian Hospitals was published. A substantial part of the report focused on security in hospitals and that a “one size fits all” approach is inappropriate in minimising security-related risks including the risk of violence.

The Committee recommended, amongst other things that “Strategies to prevent and address violence in hospitals are most effective when clinical staff, security staff, management and external workers such as paramedics and police collaborate as part of a team.”

Recent media reporting suggests little has changed hence, in assessing risk in a healthcare context it is important security leaders are encouraged to actively collaborate with key stakeholders as outlined above. This should form part of the risk recommendations.

The report is freely available online at http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/dcpc/article/1528