news
Workplace violence
rising in Queensland
Researchers say there is a
perceived lack of action by
managers to curb the problem.
A
bout half of Queensland’s
nurses and midwives said they
experienced workplace violence in
the three months prior to a survey of state
union members.
This is up from about 40 per cent
reported in 2001.
The survey of 2397 nurses and midwives,
conducted by several Queensland
universities and the Queensland Nurses
and Midwives’ Union (QNMU), found
violence against nurses and midwives
was worse in aged care facilities and in
hospitals in outer regional, remote and very
remote areas than in large regional centres
and major cities.
Research lead and CQUniversity
professorial research fellow Desley Hegney
said patients, clients and residents were the
most frequent perpetrators.
“Relatives were more frequently the
perpetrators in the acute public sector
than in other sectors, maybe reflecting the
demographics of the patients,” Hegney said.
“However, in aged care – public or
private – there was very little difference.
“After patients and relatives, doctors
and other nurses/midwives were more
frequently the perpetrators in the acute
private sector.”
Hegney said there should be concern
about the perceived lack of real action by
managers to curb this rising problem.
She said a partial solution would be
to limit patients from leaving the ward,
especially at night, in case they accessed
drugs or alcohol. Other measures suggested
in the study included adequate staffing and
better security equipment, facilities and
procedures on wards, and that people be
held more accountable for acts of violence.
Staff also wanted appropriate resources
to ensure safety when they are away from
the clinic. ■
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