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Doctors call for stronger penalties to deter ED violence
30 September 2010.
The next Victorian Government should increase the penalties for assaults against health workers to send a clear message that violence will not be tolerated in the state’s emergency departments, AMA Victoria President Dr Harry Hemley said today.
Under the proposal, assaults on health workers, including doctors and nurses in emergency departments, would become an aggravated offence and carry larger fines and longer jail sentences, similar to penalties for assaults on police officers.
"Emergency departments treat patients in all sorts of conditions but it’s particularly difficult on Friday and Saturday nights when patients present with alcohol-related injures that could have been prevented," he said.
"People who visit emergency departments can be at their worst. Patients may be in a lot of pain and relatives may have received devastating news about a loved one. They may emotional and unpredictable, particularly if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol."
Dr Hemley said violence in emergency departments seemed to be increasing. "We’re seeing more of the alcohol-fuelled violence on the streets spill into emergency departments," he said.
"Hospitals are under a lot of pressure treating more patients with fewer resources so our doctors and nurses have diminished ability to cope with violent or aggressive patients.
"This proposal to increase penalties for assaults on health workers sends a clear message to society that violence against ambulance workers, nurses, hospital staff and doctors will not be tolerated."
The Queensland Government increased the penalties for assaults on health care workers in 2008 to a maximum of three years for common assault and seven years for serious assault.
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