By JOLENE OGLE
BIG changes to legislation will see those who attack healthcare workers face 14 years’ jail, and a new trial will see paramedics helping out at watch-houses.
The bold changes are part of the Safe Night Out strategy and are aimed at reducing the impacts of drug and alcohol-fuelled violence that plague Queensland health workers every weekend.
Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said thousands of health workers were punched, stabbed, bitten and spat on every year in Queensland while serving in their daily duties.
“Assaults, whether they are physical or verbal, on our health workers will not be tolerated and the Queensland Government is appalled that even one nurse, doctor or paramedic is attacked,” he said.
“It is inexcusable and shameful behaviour.”
Noosa Hospital CEO Jude Emmer said Noosa hospital had experienced no episodes of staff being assaulted within the emergency department.
“Noosa Hospital and Ramsay Health Care takes the safety of its staff very seriously,” she said.
“Our emergency department has security staff on duty during the busy, higher-risk shifts. Our staff are well trained in managing difficult situations.”
In another move to help reduce the fallout of drug- and alcohol-fuelled violence, detainees in watch-houses will be monitored and treated by a paramedic or nurse in a trial due to start on one of the busiest nights of the year, New Year’s Eve.
The program is set to cost $800,000 and 17 stations are participating, including Maroochydore watch-house, which receives many of the violent offenders from the Noosa region, and will have a paramedic on duty Friday and Saturday nights.
Mr Springborg said watch-houses cope with people suffering from medical conditions and other impairments through the abuse of drugs and alcohol, and this initiative is designed to enhance their safety and health.
“Having a trained paramedic or a nurse on hand will greatly assist members of the public held in custody and fully inform medical decisions regarding care, treatment and transport arrangements,” Mr Springborg said.
