In 2019, there were 118 incidents at the hospital, a decrease from 166 in 2018, however ERH chief executive Nick Bush said the number was still too high.
“The behaviours shown towards our staff are concerning and we’ve got work to do to make sure our staff feel safe at work; people don’t come to work to be hurt,” he said.
“The number and intensity of incidents is increasing, it’s a growing problem.
“We’ve had numerous cases where staff have required counselling and additional support after an incident.”
Some of these cases involved patients with dementia or mental health issues, or who were drug-affected.
Occupational violence can be verbal or physical abuse, including yelling and swearing, intimidating behaviour, manhandling and assault.
Mr Bush said most cases at ERH were verbal, however “there’s been a couple of occasions where staff have been hurt in altercations with patients”.
In response to the problem the hospital has made changes to reduce the risk of violence towards its staff and is continually looking to improve safety.
“We’ve got security 24 hours, seven days a week and increased to another doctor at night-time to manage patients more quickly to reduce angst from waiting a long time.
“Our waiting times are less in contrast to metropolitan hospitals however they’re still longer than we would like, that’s why we’ve put an extra doctor on at night.”
The security is based in the emergency department, where most incidents occur, and covers the rest of the grounds when it’s quiet.
Residential aged care is the next worst department as people with dementia can become physical with staff.
“It’s a concern for us that our community is hostile to our staff. We need to work out why that is — is it (the drug) ice, general frustration or frustration at waiting times?” he said.
According to the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services 15,416 incidents of occupational violence were publicly reported in 2018-19 across all Victorian public health services, a six per cent increase on 2017-18 figures.
However, a significant proportion of health services outlined a reduction in the proportion of incidents resulting in injury in their 2018-19 annual reports, suggesting there is improved awareness and reporting of occupational violence and aggression.
The Victorian Government’s $40 million health service violence prevention fund was established to improve safety and security through capital infrastructure and increasing security personnel.
These projects included installation of alarms, CCTV, security systems, improved lighting and waiting area design as well as body-worn cameras and stab-resistant vest trials.
“Violence, abuse and aggression against our front-line health workers is unacceptable,” a spokesperson for the department said.
“It’s never okay that they are abused, threatened or assaulted just for doing their job.
“The Victorian Government has boosted hospital security, introduced tougher safety standards and is building behavioural assessment rooms to care for patients who pose a threat to others.
“We have also fostered a culture where more workers are reporting these issues so they can be acted on — rather than swept under the rug.”
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