News

MBH benefits from State security funding

Mon, 16 Oct 2017 12:23:00

Mildura Base Hospital will receive a share of a State Government funding initiative aimed at improving safety and security at hospitals across the State.

MBH will receive $156,000 from the State Government, and will contribute a further $36,000 of its own funds, to implement measures aimed at making the hospital safer for health workers, patients and visitors.
Chief Executive Officer Julia Morgan said the funding would be used, in part, to analyse MBH’s current approach to security at the hospital.
“Like all hospitals across the State, we’re concerned about an increase in anti-social and aggressive behaviour coming both from visitors and patients,” Ms Morgan said.
“As a response to that, we’ve put in place 24-hour-a-day security, using an external security contractor and our own very competent and well-trained Personal Support Assistants,” she said.
“So, in that sense, we already have measures in place. But this latest funding is extremely welcome in letting us review what we are doing and, going forward, ensuring we embed a security model that meets the on-going needs of both our staff and our patients.”
MBH General Manager of Resources and Facilities Don Palazzo said the funding would also assist in developing measures to prevent incidents from escalating into violence, including increased training for staff.
“We’ve been providing staff with professional ‘assault response’ training and that’s been a really positive investment in their safety and the safety of others when a potentially-violent situation occurs,” Mr Palazzo said.
“But we’re now planning new training that will focus on ensuring more staff have skills to identify potential threats and de-escalate situation before they do become violent or aggressive.”
Ms Morgan said the new training, backed up by the security review, were a timely opportunity for the hospital.
“Our focus is implementing the most effective measures we can to prevent, respond to and reduce violence at Mildura Base,” she said.
“This funding will allow us to continue improving our policies and responses so that we achieve the best outcomes for healthcare workers, patients and hospital visitors.”