Action Against Violence in NSW Hospitals Working Group
SafeWork NSW facilitated a systems-thinking project in response to the increasing incidence of work-related violence in NSW hospitals. Following this project, the Action Against Violence in NSW Hospitals Working Group was formed. Read the final report from the project.
The Working Group includes representatives from:
- the NSW Ministry of Health
- NSW Local Health Districts
- unions (members of Health Services Union, NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation)
- NSW Ambulance
- NSW Police
- private hospitals (Healthscope Operations, Ramsay Health Care, Healthe Care)
- Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network
- SafeWork NSW.
The Working Group will develop strategies, priorities and initiatives to address work-related violence in NSW hospitals. PCBUs should put these strategies, priorities and initiatives in place.
The Working Group aims to:
- influence policy and decision-makers
- promote and communicate key messages to stakeholders and the community
- act as advocates for driving change, and
- promote and advocate for safer work, safer care in the health care sector.
Download the work plan (PDF, 63.73 KB) that will guide the Working Group to December 2023.
Work-related violence
Work-related violence (WRV) is a complex and growing issue. It can cause personal, societal and economic harm. In hospitals, WRV is a significant risk to the health and safety of workers, patients and visitors.
SafeWork NSW commissioned the Centre for Human Factors and Sociotechnical Systems (CHFSS) at the University of the Sunshine Coast to develop evidence-based resources and case studies to build capability within hospitals to use systems thinking for the prevention of WRV.
Systems thinking toolkit
The Working Group chose three tools to be developed by CFHSS. Once the tools were created, CFHSS delivered stakeholder workshops to test the content and utility of the resources in practice. You can access the resources above.
Prevention and Management of Violence in NSW Hospitals Showcase
In December 2023 the Prevention and Management of Violence in NSW Hospitals Showcase was held at NSW Parliament House. This showcase raised awareness of the impact of violence in NSW hospitals, and provided an opportunity for industry, government, and worker representatives to come together to share stories, insights and commit to continuing to work together to address this complex issue.
The Action Against Violence in NSW Hospitals Working Group committed to continue working together to address work related violence in NSW hospitals.