Swan Hill hires new guards
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A Victorian hospital is the latest to boost security amid rising patient aggression and violence.
Swan Hill District Health says it has been forced to respond to a rise in patient aggression, driven by long emergency department wait times and a shortage of general practitioners.
Chief executive Peter Abraham has told reporters that staff are facing growing violence, with some patients becoming “very agitated, very upset, angry and at times threatening”.
In August, a Code Black was declared when a man allegedly brandished a weapon.
To address the issue, the hospital has reinforced protective screens and hired additional security guards.
Swan Hill’s emergency department has reportedly seen a 25 per cent rise in presentations, largely due to a lack of GPs in the area.
The hospital handles 60-70 patients daily, up from 40-50 last year.
This pressure is mirrored in other regional hospitals, including Albury Wodonga and Bendigo, which have also reported increased violence.
The Victorian Government has invested over $47 million in occupational violence prevention since 2015, but Australian Medical Association president Jill Tomlinson says greater investment in primary care is needed to ease hospital demand.
More details are accessible here.