Stephen Parnis, Vice-President of the AMA Victoria, recently said in the media that ”something like 90% of Emergency Nurses have been subjected to physical violence and some 5% of General Practitioners have been threatened with weapons”.  Health workers are often facing violence from people with a range of problems including drug and alcohol and mental health issues.

Jess Walsh, State Secretary of the Security Guards’ Union, United Voice, said that security guards at some of Victoria’s busiest hospitals are experiencing many violent incidents. Mr Walsh said that a patient recently pulled a machete on nurses and threatened the public and who was required to be quickly physically restrained by security guards.

Where a crime occurs in a workplace the victim may be entitled to seek assistance both via Workcover and through Crime Compensation to aide in recovery. For professional advice contact Victims of Crime Counselling & Compensation Services on freecall 1800 000 055.

About the author