No. 31 

$1.2 MILLION BOOST FOR HOSPITAL SECURITY

The Stanhope Government has allocated $1.2 million over four years to improve the security of patients, visitors and staff at The Canberra Hospital.

“The implementation of a range of security improvements to enhance the safety of patients and staff in The Canberra Hospital is in response to increasing levels of aggression and violence demonstrated by some patients and visitors to the Hospital,” Health Minister Katy Gallagher said.

A range of improvements will include:
•	increased security guard and wardperson coverage to provide for better response to calls for assistance, monitoring aggressive clients and deter possible criminal activity on campus;
•	installation of stable doors to a limited number of patient rooms on the wards to provide better control of aggressive patients and better protection of staff;
•	upgrade and expansion of the Hospital’s fixed duress alarm system so that all wards and clinics are covered; and
•	provision of dedicated resources for ongoing training of Health staff in the management of aggressive clients.

“Portable personal duress alarms, improved security camera and detection systems, and a better lock-down system for hospital wards are also included in this Budget initiative,” Ms Gallagher said. 
 
“With increasing incidents of violence at ward level, TCH is required to arrange a greater number and more effective security measures to manage aggressive patients, patient relatives or other visitors, to provide an immediate level of protection for other patients and staff.

“Every employee is entitled to a secure work environment and it is extremely important that we take steps to improve staff confidence and morale when it comes to security issues.”