❓ Question regarding mandatory minimum sentencing for assaults against nurses, prompted by a reported increase in hospital assaults. The Premier acknowledges the issue but avoids committing to mandatory sentencing, citing the need for careful consideration and addressing underlying causes.
AnsweredQoN 698Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
HEALTH STAFF —
ASSAULTS AGAINST — MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES
698. Mr P.A. KATSAMBANIS to the Premier:
I refer to the shocking 38 per cent
increase in the number of assaults against nurses in our hospitals between 2017
and 2018. Will the Premier support mandatory minimum sentencing for anyone who
seriously bashes a nurse, as we have to protect our police officers?
ASSAULTS AGAINST — MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES
698. Mr P.A. KATSAMBANIS to the Premier:
I refer to the shocking 38 per cent
increase in the number of assaults against nurses in our hospitals between 2017
and 2018. Will the Premier support mandatory minimum sentencing for anyone who
seriously bashes a nurse, as we have to protect our police officers?
AnswerView source ↗
Violence in our hospitals is very
disturbing for everybody. Obviously, we are as concerned about it as anyone.
The Minister for Health had a summit with hospital staff and representatives to
talk about solutions to it. We have launched a $5 million program for
additional security and support for staff, and stab-proof vests for some staff
in frontline positions. Clearly, we take this issue very, very seriously.
I think the issue needs to be
handled carefully; we do not want to engage in knee-jerk reactions. We want to
have carefully calibrated solutions to the problem. A lot of the people in our
hospitals and in our emergency departments are stressed and their behaviour
might be influenced by alcohol or drugs, by mental illness, or by some of the
treatments that they are undergoing inside the hospital. Therefore, although we
are putting in place a whole bunch of new initiatives, I think the issue needs
to be handled carefully.
disturbing for everybody. Obviously, we are as concerned about it as anyone.
The Minister for Health had a summit with hospital staff and representatives to
talk about solutions to it. We have launched a $5 million program for
additional security and support for staff, and stab-proof vests for some staff
in frontline positions. Clearly, we take this issue very, very seriously.
I think the issue needs to be
handled carefully; we do not want to engage in knee-jerk reactions. We want to
have carefully calibrated solutions to the problem. A lot of the people in our
hospitals and in our emergency departments are stressed and their behaviour
might be influenced by alcohol or drugs, by mental illness, or by some of the
treatments that they are undergoing inside the hospital. Therefore, although we
are putting in place a whole bunch of new initiatives, I think the issue needs
to be handled carefully.
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