❓ Question regarding violence against hospital staff, specifically nurses, and the government's response. The Minister details actions taken, including policy changes and legal support for assaulted staff.
AnsweredQoN 1165Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to his predecessor’s press release dated 27 March 2003 in which he announced the release of a discussion paper on violence committed against hospital staff and a zero tolerance approach to such violence at Royal Perth Hospital. (1) Is the minister aware that during the last financial year Royal Perth Hospital, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Osborne Park Hospital all reported the highest level of assaults against nurses in at least five years? (2) Can the minister confirm that no additional action has been taken to stamp out violence committed against hospital staff since the release of the discussion paper and the establishment of a committee? (3) When will the Government follow the lead of other jurisdictions, such as New South Wales, and immediately fund a mandatory program to educate and train all nurses on dealing with violent patients, and to put in place a triage system to deal with patients at risk of committing violent acts in emergency departments? Mr J.A. McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I have just returned from the emergency department at Royal Perth Hospital where I spoke to nurse Tracey Gilchrist, who was earlier this year a victim of an assault; she was injured as a result of completely unacceptable behaviour by a patient. I find it hard to find words to describe the despicable act of people who turn around and physically assault the people there to tend and care for them. I find that in no way to be acceptable. One assault on nurses and doctors in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, is one too many. Unfortunately, while we were at the hospital, we saw a real example of the problems nurses and doctors working for the benefit of the public must encounter every day of their working lives, when a violent and abusive person threatened hospital staff. It was there manifestly for everyone to see. This illustrated the grave difficulties that nurses and doctors, who do such a superb job in our emergency departments, face every day at work. The good news to come out of this process is that nurse Gilchrist laid a charge; she confirmed this. She had the full cooperation and support of her colleagues in the emergency department, the hospital and all arms of government, including the police. Most importantly, she had the full support of our courts because the woman who committed the assault on her was convicted not of assault, but of assault of a public officer, and was sentenced to imprisonment. I am delighted that occurred. Other people face such charges because of what they do to our nurses and doctors who deliver a service to the public. In the past, these people who work so well in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, have had a cultural approach of being inclined to sweep such offences under the carpet and accept it as an occupational risk: “From time to time we get drug-crazed and violent patients.” I find no excuse acceptable for behaviour that leads to an assault on public officers. It is appropriate in these cases that the police lay charges at the highest end of the scale because assaulting public officers in the performance of their duty is a serious offence under the Criminal Code. The traditional approach was to lay charges of common assault, if charges were laid at all. This loud and clear message should go out to everyone who for whatever reason - no reason is acceptable - commits an assault on a nurse or doctor in our emergency departments: the full force of the law will be thrown at them. I hope every element of government from the courts down commits to support nurses and doctors in their difficult job. I am delighting that that is taking place. Since the announcement of the new policy in March of this year - the zero tolerance policy, under which no excuse is acceptable - the Government has moved to ensure that every offence is reported and goes to the police and that charges are laid at the serious end of the scale; namely, assault on a public officer. I hope the courts continue to give our doctors and nurses the support they have given to date. Another person was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and I know another charge is pending of assault against a public officer, again as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner. At the punishment end, there is a new approach in Western Australia under which people are charged with the most serious offence possible under the Criminal Code. People are being prosecuted vigorously. The Government is giving 100 per cent support to our nurses and doctors through the provision of security officers and posters appearing in the emergency departments advising everyone of the zero tolerance policy. I hope that continues. People who commit this despicable act of assaulting people who come to their aid and assistance will be locked up if they continue that behaviour. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove.
(1) Is the minister aware that during the last financial year Royal Perth Hospital, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Osborne Park Hospital all reported the highest level of assaults against nurses in at least five years? (2) Can the minister confirm that no additional action has been taken to stamp out violence committed against hospital staff since the release of the discussion paper and the establishment of a committee? (3) When will the Government follow the lead of other jurisdictions, such as New South Wales, and immediately fund a mandatory program to educate and train all nurses on dealing with violent patients, and to put in place a triage system to deal with patients at risk of committing violent acts in emergency departments? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I have just returned from the emergency department at Royal Perth Hospital where I spoke to nurse Tracey Gilchrist, who was earlier this year a victim of an assault; she was injured as a result of completely unacceptable behaviour by a patient. I find it hard to find words to describe the despicable act of people who turn around and physically assault the people there to tend and care for them. I find that in no way to be acceptable. One assault on nurses and doctors in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, is one too many. Unfortunately, while we were at the hospital, we saw a real example of the problems nurses and doctors working for the benefit of the public must encounter every day of their working lives, when a violent and abusive person threatened hospital staff. It was there manifestly for everyone to see. This illustrated the grave difficulties that nurses and doctors, who do such a superb job in our emergency departments, face every day at work. The good news to come out of this process is that nurse Gilchrist laid a charge; she confirmed this. She had the full cooperation and support of her colleagues in the emergency department, the hospital and all arms of government, including the police. Most importantly, she had the full support of our courts because the woman who committed the assault on her was convicted not of assault, but of assault of a public officer, and was sentenced to imprisonment. I am delighted that occurred. Other people face such charges because of what they do to our nurses and doctors who deliver a service to the public. In the past, these people who work so well in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, have had a cultural approach of being inclined to sweep such offences under the carpet and accept it as an occupational risk: “From time to time we get drug-crazed and violent patients.” I find no excuse acceptable for behaviour that leads to an assault on public officers. It is appropriate in these cases that the police lay charges at the highest end of the scale because assaulting public officers in the performance of their duty is a serious offence under the Criminal Code. The traditional approach was to lay charges of common assault, if charges were laid at all. This loud and clear message should go out to everyone who for whatever reason - no reason is acceptable - commits an assault on a nurse or doctor in our emergency departments: the full force of the law will be thrown at them. I hope every element of government from the courts down commits to support nurses and doctors in their difficult job. I am delighting that that is taking place. Since the announcement of the new policy in March of this year - the zero tolerance policy, under which no excuse is acceptable - the Government has moved to ensure that every offence is reported and goes to the police and that charges are laid at the serious end of the scale; namely, assault on a public officer. I hope the courts continue to give our doctors and nurses the support they have given to date. Another person was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and I know another charge is pending of assault against a public officer, again as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner. At the punishment end, there is a new approach in Western Australia under which people are charged with the most serious offence possible under the Criminal Code. People are being prosecuted vigorously. The Government is giving 100 per cent support to our nurses and doctors through the provision of security officers and posters appearing in the emergency departments advising everyone of the zero tolerance policy. I hope that continues. People who commit this despicable act of assaulting people who come to their aid and assistance will be locked up if they continue that behaviour. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove.
(2) Can the minister confirm that no additional action has been taken to stamp out violence committed against hospital staff since the release of the discussion paper and the establishment of a committee? (3) When will the Government follow the lead of other jurisdictions, such as New South Wales, and immediately fund a mandatory program to educate and train all nurses on dealing with violent patients, and to put in place a triage system to deal with patients at risk of committing violent acts in emergency departments? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I have just returned from the emergency department at Royal Perth Hospital where I spoke to nurse Tracey Gilchrist, who was earlier this year a victim of an assault; she was injured as a result of completely unacceptable behaviour by a patient. I find it hard to find words to describe the despicable act of people who turn around and physically assault the people there to tend and care for them. I find that in no way to be acceptable. One assault on nurses and doctors in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, is one too many. Unfortunately, while we were at the hospital, we saw a real example of the problems nurses and doctors working for the benefit of the public must encounter every day of their working lives, when a violent and abusive person threatened hospital staff. It was there manifestly for everyone to see. This illustrated the grave difficulties that nurses and doctors, who do such a superb job in our emergency departments, face every day at work. The good news to come out of this process is that nurse Gilchrist laid a charge; she confirmed this. She had the full cooperation and support of her colleagues in the emergency department, the hospital and all arms of government, including the police. Most importantly, she had the full support of our courts because the woman who committed the assault on her was convicted not of assault, but of assault of a public officer, and was sentenced to imprisonment. I am delighted that occurred. Other people face such charges because of what they do to our nurses and doctors who deliver a service to the public. In the past, these people who work so well in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, have had a cultural approach of being inclined to sweep such offences under the carpet and accept it as an occupational risk: “From time to time we get drug-crazed and violent patients.” I find no excuse acceptable for behaviour that leads to an assault on public officers. It is appropriate in these cases that the police lay charges at the highest end of the scale because assaulting public officers in the performance of their duty is a serious offence under the Criminal Code. The traditional approach was to lay charges of common assault, if charges were laid at all. This loud and clear message should go out to everyone who for whatever reason - no reason is acceptable - commits an assault on a nurse or doctor in our emergency departments: the full force of the law will be thrown at them. I hope every element of government from the courts down commits to support nurses and doctors in their difficult job. I am delighting that that is taking place. Since the announcement of the new policy in March of this year - the zero tolerance policy, under which no excuse is acceptable - the Government has moved to ensure that every offence is reported and goes to the police and that charges are laid at the serious end of the scale; namely, assault on a public officer. I hope the courts continue to give our doctors and nurses the support they have given to date. Another person was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and I know another charge is pending of assault against a public officer, again as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner. At the punishment end, there is a new approach in Western Australia under which people are charged with the most serious offence possible under the Criminal Code. People are being prosecuted vigorously. The Government is giving 100 per cent support to our nurses and doctors through the provision of security officers and posters appearing in the emergency departments advising everyone of the zero tolerance policy. I hope that continues. People who commit this despicable act of assaulting people who come to their aid and assistance will be locked up if they continue that behaviour. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove.
(3) When will the Government follow the lead of other jurisdictions, such as New South Wales, and immediately fund a mandatory program to educate and train all nurses on dealing with violent patients, and to put in place a triage system to deal with patients at risk of committing violent acts in emergency departments? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I have just returned from the emergency department at Royal Perth Hospital where I spoke to nurse Tracey Gilchrist, who was earlier this year a victim of an assault; she was injured as a result of completely unacceptable behaviour by a patient. I find it hard to find words to describe the despicable act of people who turn around and physically assault the people there to tend and care for them. I find that in no way to be acceptable. One assault on nurses and doctors in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, is one too many. Unfortunately, while we were at the hospital, we saw a real example of the problems nurses and doctors working for the benefit of the public must encounter every day of their working lives, when a violent and abusive person threatened hospital staff. It was there manifestly for everyone to see. This illustrated the grave difficulties that nurses and doctors, who do such a superb job in our emergency departments, face every day at work. The good news to come out of this process is that nurse Gilchrist laid a charge; she confirmed this. She had the full cooperation and support of her colleagues in the emergency department, the hospital and all arms of government, including the police. Most importantly, she had the full support of our courts because the woman who committed the assault on her was convicted not of assault, but of assault of a public officer, and was sentenced to imprisonment. I am delighted that occurred. Other people face such charges because of what they do to our nurses and doctors who deliver a service to the public. In the past, these people who work so well in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, have had a cultural approach of being inclined to sweep such offences under the carpet and accept it as an occupational risk: “From time to time we get drug-crazed and violent patients.” I find no excuse acceptable for behaviour that leads to an assault on public officers. It is appropriate in these cases that the police lay charges at the highest end of the scale because assaulting public officers in the performance of their duty is a serious offence under the Criminal Code. The traditional approach was to lay charges of common assault, if charges were laid at all. This loud and clear message should go out to everyone who for whatever reason - no reason is acceptable - commits an assault on a nurse or doctor in our emergency departments: the full force of the law will be thrown at them. I hope every element of government from the courts down commits to support nurses and doctors in their difficult job. I am delighting that that is taking place. Since the announcement of the new policy in March of this year - the zero tolerance policy, under which no excuse is acceptable - the Government has moved to ensure that every offence is reported and goes to the police and that charges are laid at the serious end of the scale; namely, assault on a public officer. I hope the courts continue to give our doctors and nurses the support they have given to date. Another person was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and I know another charge is pending of assault against a public officer, again as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner. At the punishment end, there is a new approach in Western Australia under which people are charged with the most serious offence possible under the Criminal Code. People are being prosecuted vigorously. The Government is giving 100 per cent support to our nurses and doctors through the provision of security officers and posters appearing in the emergency departments advising everyone of the zero tolerance policy. I hope that continues. People who commit this despicable act of assaulting people who come to their aid and assistance will be locked up if they continue that behaviour. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I have just returned from the emergency department at Royal Perth Hospital where I spoke to nurse Tracey Gilchrist, who was earlier this year a victim of an assault; she was injured as a result of completely unacceptable behaviour by a patient. I find it hard to find words to describe the despicable act of people who turn around and physically assault the people there to tend and care for them. I find that in no way to be acceptable. One assault on nurses and doctors in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, is one too many. Unfortunately, while we were at the hospital, we saw a real example of the problems nurses and doctors working for the benefit of the public must encounter every day of their working lives, when a violent and abusive person threatened hospital staff. It was there manifestly for everyone to see. This illustrated the grave difficulties that nurses and doctors, who do such a superb job in our emergency departments, face every day at work. The good news to come out of this process is that nurse Gilchrist laid a charge; she confirmed this. She had the full cooperation and support of her colleagues in the emergency department, the hospital and all arms of government, including the police. Most importantly, she had the full support of our courts because the woman who committed the assault on her was convicted not of assault, but of assault of a public officer, and was sentenced to imprisonment. I am delighted that occurred. Other people face such charges because of what they do to our nurses and doctors who deliver a service to the public. In the past, these people who work so well in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, have had a cultural approach of being inclined to sweep such offences under the carpet and accept it as an occupational risk: “From time to time we get drug-crazed and violent patients.” I find no excuse acceptable for behaviour that leads to an assault on public officers. It is appropriate in these cases that the police lay charges at the highest end of the scale because assaulting public officers in the performance of their duty is a serious offence under the Criminal Code. The traditional approach was to lay charges of common assault, if charges were laid at all. This loud and clear message should go out to everyone who for whatever reason - no reason is acceptable - commits an assault on a nurse or doctor in our emergency departments: the full force of the law will be thrown at them. I hope every element of government from the courts down commits to support nurses and doctors in their difficult job. I am delighting that that is taking place. Since the announcement of the new policy in March of this year - the zero tolerance policy, under which no excuse is acceptable - the Government has moved to ensure that every offence is reported and goes to the police and that charges are laid at the serious end of the scale; namely, assault on a public officer. I hope the courts continue to give our doctors and nurses the support they have given to date. Another person was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and I know another charge is pending of assault against a public officer, again as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner. At the punishment end, there is a new approach in Western Australia under which people are charged with the most serious offence possible under the Criminal Code. People are being prosecuted vigorously. The Government is giving 100 per cent support to our nurses and doctors through the provision of security officers and posters appearing in the emergency departments advising everyone of the zero tolerance policy. I hope that continues. People who commit this despicable act of assaulting people who come to their aid and assistance will be locked up if they continue that behaviour. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove.
(1)-(3) I have just returned from the emergency department at Royal Perth Hospital where I spoke to nurse Tracey Gilchrist, who was earlier this year a victim of an assault; she was injured as a result of completely unacceptable behaviour by a patient. I find it hard to find words to describe the despicable act of people who turn around and physically assault the people there to tend and care for them. I find that in no way to be acceptable. One assault on nurses and doctors in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, is one too many. Unfortunately, while we were at the hospital, we saw a real example of the problems nurses and doctors working for the benefit of the public must encounter every day of their working lives, when a violent and abusive person threatened hospital staff. It was there manifestly for everyone to see. This illustrated the grave difficulties that nurses and doctors, who do such a superb job in our emergency departments, face every day at work. The good news to come out of this process is that nurse Gilchrist laid a charge; she confirmed this. She had the full cooperation and support of her colleagues in the emergency department, the hospital and all arms of government, including the police. Most importantly, she had the full support of our courts because the woman who committed the assault on her was convicted not of assault, but of assault of a public officer, and was sentenced to imprisonment. I am delighted that occurred. Other people face such charges because of what they do to our nurses and doctors who deliver a service to the public. In the past, these people who work so well in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, have had a cultural approach of being inclined to sweep such offences under the carpet and accept it as an occupational risk: “From time to time we get drug-crazed and violent patients.” I find no excuse acceptable for behaviour that leads to an assault on public officers. It is appropriate in these cases that the police lay charges at the highest end of the scale because assaulting public officers in the performance of their duty is a serious offence under the Criminal Code. The traditional approach was to lay charges of common assault, if charges were laid at all. This loud and clear message should go out to everyone who for whatever reason - no reason is acceptable - commits an assault on a nurse or doctor in our emergency departments: the full force of the law will be thrown at them. I hope every element of government from the courts down commits to support nurses and doctors in their difficult job. I am delighting that that is taking place. Since the announcement of the new policy in March of this year - the zero tolerance policy, under which no excuse is acceptable - the Government has moved to ensure that every offence is reported and goes to the police and that charges are laid at the serious end of the scale; namely, assault on a public officer. I hope the courts continue to give our doctors and nurses the support they have given to date. Another person was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and I know another charge is pending of assault against a public officer, again as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner. At the punishment end, there is a new approach in Western Australia under which people are charged with the most serious offence possible under the Criminal Code. People are being prosecuted vigorously. The Government is giving 100 per cent support to our nurses and doctors through the provision of security officers and posters appearing in the emergency departments advising everyone of the zero tolerance policy. I hope that continues. People who commit this despicable act of assaulting people who come to their aid and assistance will be locked up if they continue that behaviour. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove.
The good news to come out of this process is that nurse Gilchrist laid a charge; she confirmed this. She had the full cooperation and support of her colleagues in the emergency department, the hospital and all arms of government, including the police. Most importantly, she had the full support of our courts because the woman who committed the assault on her was convicted not of assault, but of assault of a public officer, and was sentenced to imprisonment. I am delighted that occurred. Other people face such charges because of what they do to our nurses and doctors who deliver a service to the public. In the past, these people who work so well in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, have had a cultural approach of being inclined to sweep such offences under the carpet and accept it as an occupational risk: “From time to time we get drug-crazed and violent patients.” I find no excuse acceptable for behaviour that leads to an assault on public officers. It is appropriate in these cases that the police lay charges at the highest end of the scale because assaulting public officers in the performance of their duty is a serious offence under the Criminal Code. The traditional approach was to lay charges of common assault, if charges were laid at all. This loud and clear message should go out to everyone who for whatever reason - no reason is acceptable - commits an assault on a nurse or doctor in our emergency departments: the full force of the law will be thrown at them. I hope every element of government from the courts down commits to support nurses and doctors in their difficult job. I am delighting that that is taking place. Since the announcement of the new policy in March of this year - the zero tolerance policy, under which no excuse is acceptable - the Government has moved to ensure that every offence is reported and goes to the police and that charges are laid at the serious end of the scale; namely, assault on a public officer. I hope the courts continue to give our doctors and nurses the support they have given to date. Another person was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and I know another charge is pending of assault against a public officer, again as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner. At the punishment end, there is a new approach in Western Australia under which people are charged with the most serious offence possible under the Criminal Code. People are being prosecuted vigorously. The Government is giving 100 per cent support to our nurses and doctors through the provision of security officers and posters appearing in the emergency departments advising everyone of the zero tolerance policy. I hope that continues. People who commit this despicable act of assaulting people who come to their aid and assistance will be locked up if they continue that behaviour. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove.
(1) Is the minister aware that during the last financial year Royal Perth Hospital, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Osborne Park Hospital all reported the highest level of assaults against nurses in at least five years? (2) Can the minister confirm that no additional action has been taken to stamp out violence committed against hospital staff since the release of the discussion paper and the establishment of a committee? (3) When will the Government follow the lead of other jurisdictions, such as New South Wales, and immediately fund a mandatory program to educate and train all nurses on dealing with violent patients, and to put in place a triage system to deal with patients at risk of committing violent acts in emergency departments? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I have just returned from the emergency department at Royal Perth Hospital where I spoke to nurse Tracey Gilchrist, who was earlier this year a victim of an assault; she was injured as a result of completely unacceptable behaviour by a patient. I find it hard to find words to describe the despicable act of people who turn around and physically assault the people there to tend and care for them. I find that in no way to be acceptable. One assault on nurses and doctors in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, is one too many. Unfortunately, while we were at the hospital, we saw a real example of the problems nurses and doctors working for the benefit of the public must encounter every day of their working lives, when a violent and abusive person threatened hospital staff. It was there manifestly for everyone to see. This illustrated the grave difficulties that nurses and doctors, who do such a superb job in our emergency departments, face every day at work. The good news to come out of this process is that nurse Gilchrist laid a charge; she confirmed this. She had the full cooperation and support of her colleagues in the emergency department, the hospital and all arms of government, including the police. Most importantly, she had the full support of our courts because the woman who committed the assault on her was convicted not of assault, but of assault of a public officer, and was sentenced to imprisonment. I am delighted that occurred. Other people face such charges because of what they do to our nurses and doctors who deliver a service to the public. In the past, these people who work so well in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, have had a cultural approach of being inclined to sweep such offences under the carpet and accept it as an occupational risk: “From time to time we get drug-crazed and violent patients.” I find no excuse acceptable for behaviour that leads to an assault on public officers. It is appropriate in these cases that the police lay charges at the highest end of the scale because assaulting public officers in the performance of their duty is a serious offence under the Criminal Code. The traditional approach was to lay charges of common assault, if charges were laid at all. This loud and clear message should go out to everyone who for whatever reason - no reason is acceptable - commits an assault on a nurse or doctor in our emergency departments: the full force of the law will be thrown at them. I hope every element of government from the courts down commits to support nurses and doctors in their difficult job. I am delighting that that is taking place. Since the announcement of the new policy in March of this year - the zero tolerance policy, under which no excuse is acceptable - the Government has moved to ensure that every offence is reported and goes to the police and that charges are laid at the serious end of the scale; namely, assault on a public officer. I hope the courts continue to give our doctors and nurses the support they have given to date. Another person was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and I know another charge is pending of assault against a public officer, again as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner. At the punishment end, there is a new approach in Western Australia under which people are charged with the most serious offence possible under the Criminal Code. People are being prosecuted vigorously. The Government is giving 100 per cent support to our nurses and doctors through the provision of security officers and posters appearing in the emergency departments advising everyone of the zero tolerance policy. I hope that continues. People who commit this despicable act of assaulting people who come to their aid and assistance will be locked up if they continue that behaviour. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove.
(2) Can the minister confirm that no additional action has been taken to stamp out violence committed against hospital staff since the release of the discussion paper and the establishment of a committee? (3) When will the Government follow the lead of other jurisdictions, such as New South Wales, and immediately fund a mandatory program to educate and train all nurses on dealing with violent patients, and to put in place a triage system to deal with patients at risk of committing violent acts in emergency departments? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I have just returned from the emergency department at Royal Perth Hospital where I spoke to nurse Tracey Gilchrist, who was earlier this year a victim of an assault; she was injured as a result of completely unacceptable behaviour by a patient. I find it hard to find words to describe the despicable act of people who turn around and physically assault the people there to tend and care for them. I find that in no way to be acceptable. One assault on nurses and doctors in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, is one too many. Unfortunately, while we were at the hospital, we saw a real example of the problems nurses and doctors working for the benefit of the public must encounter every day of their working lives, when a violent and abusive person threatened hospital staff. It was there manifestly for everyone to see. This illustrated the grave difficulties that nurses and doctors, who do such a superb job in our emergency departments, face every day at work. The good news to come out of this process is that nurse Gilchrist laid a charge; she confirmed this. She had the full cooperation and support of her colleagues in the emergency department, the hospital and all arms of government, including the police. Most importantly, she had the full support of our courts because the woman who committed the assault on her was convicted not of assault, but of assault of a public officer, and was sentenced to imprisonment. I am delighted that occurred. Other people face such charges because of what they do to our nurses and doctors who deliver a service to the public. In the past, these people who work so well in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, have had a cultural approach of being inclined to sweep such offences under the carpet and accept it as an occupational risk: “From time to time we get drug-crazed and violent patients.” I find no excuse acceptable for behaviour that leads to an assault on public officers. It is appropriate in these cases that the police lay charges at the highest end of the scale because assaulting public officers in the performance of their duty is a serious offence under the Criminal Code. The traditional approach was to lay charges of common assault, if charges were laid at all. This loud and clear message should go out to everyone who for whatever reason - no reason is acceptable - commits an assault on a nurse or doctor in our emergency departments: the full force of the law will be thrown at them. I hope every element of government from the courts down commits to support nurses and doctors in their difficult job. I am delighting that that is taking place. Since the announcement of the new policy in March of this year - the zero tolerance policy, under which no excuse is acceptable - the Government has moved to ensure that every offence is reported and goes to the police and that charges are laid at the serious end of the scale; namely, assault on a public officer. I hope the courts continue to give our doctors and nurses the support they have given to date. Another person was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and I know another charge is pending of assault against a public officer, again as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner. At the punishment end, there is a new approach in Western Australia under which people are charged with the most serious offence possible under the Criminal Code. People are being prosecuted vigorously. The Government is giving 100 per cent support to our nurses and doctors through the provision of security officers and posters appearing in the emergency departments advising everyone of the zero tolerance policy. I hope that continues. People who commit this despicable act of assaulting people who come to their aid and assistance will be locked up if they continue that behaviour. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove.
(3) When will the Government follow the lead of other jurisdictions, such as New South Wales, and immediately fund a mandatory program to educate and train all nurses on dealing with violent patients, and to put in place a triage system to deal with patients at risk of committing violent acts in emergency departments? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I have just returned from the emergency department at Royal Perth Hospital where I spoke to nurse Tracey Gilchrist, who was earlier this year a victim of an assault; she was injured as a result of completely unacceptable behaviour by a patient. I find it hard to find words to describe the despicable act of people who turn around and physically assault the people there to tend and care for them. I find that in no way to be acceptable. One assault on nurses and doctors in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, is one too many. Unfortunately, while we were at the hospital, we saw a real example of the problems nurses and doctors working for the benefit of the public must encounter every day of their working lives, when a violent and abusive person threatened hospital staff. It was there manifestly for everyone to see. This illustrated the grave difficulties that nurses and doctors, who do such a superb job in our emergency departments, face every day at work. The good news to come out of this process is that nurse Gilchrist laid a charge; she confirmed this. She had the full cooperation and support of her colleagues in the emergency department, the hospital and all arms of government, including the police. Most importantly, she had the full support of our courts because the woman who committed the assault on her was convicted not of assault, but of assault of a public officer, and was sentenced to imprisonment. I am delighted that occurred. Other people face such charges because of what they do to our nurses and doctors who deliver a service to the public. In the past, these people who work so well in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, have had a cultural approach of being inclined to sweep such offences under the carpet and accept it as an occupational risk: “From time to time we get drug-crazed and violent patients.” I find no excuse acceptable for behaviour that leads to an assault on public officers. It is appropriate in these cases that the police lay charges at the highest end of the scale because assaulting public officers in the performance of their duty is a serious offence under the Criminal Code. The traditional approach was to lay charges of common assault, if charges were laid at all. This loud and clear message should go out to everyone who for whatever reason - no reason is acceptable - commits an assault on a nurse or doctor in our emergency departments: the full force of the law will be thrown at them. I hope every element of government from the courts down commits to support nurses and doctors in their difficult job. I am delighting that that is taking place. Since the announcement of the new policy in March of this year - the zero tolerance policy, under which no excuse is acceptable - the Government has moved to ensure that every offence is reported and goes to the police and that charges are laid at the serious end of the scale; namely, assault on a public officer. I hope the courts continue to give our doctors and nurses the support they have given to date. Another person was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and I know another charge is pending of assault against a public officer, again as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner. At the punishment end, there is a new approach in Western Australia under which people are charged with the most serious offence possible under the Criminal Code. People are being prosecuted vigorously. The Government is giving 100 per cent support to our nurses and doctors through the provision of security officers and posters appearing in the emergency departments advising everyone of the zero tolerance policy. I hope that continues. People who commit this despicable act of assaulting people who come to their aid and assistance will be locked up if they continue that behaviour. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I have just returned from the emergency department at Royal Perth Hospital where I spoke to nurse Tracey Gilchrist, who was earlier this year a victim of an assault; she was injured as a result of completely unacceptable behaviour by a patient. I find it hard to find words to describe the despicable act of people who turn around and physically assault the people there to tend and care for them. I find that in no way to be acceptable. One assault on nurses and doctors in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, is one too many. Unfortunately, while we were at the hospital, we saw a real example of the problems nurses and doctors working for the benefit of the public must encounter every day of their working lives, when a violent and abusive person threatened hospital staff. It was there manifestly for everyone to see. This illustrated the grave difficulties that nurses and doctors, who do such a superb job in our emergency departments, face every day at work. The good news to come out of this process is that nurse Gilchrist laid a charge; she confirmed this. She had the full cooperation and support of her colleagues in the emergency department, the hospital and all arms of government, including the police. Most importantly, she had the full support of our courts because the woman who committed the assault on her was convicted not of assault, but of assault of a public officer, and was sentenced to imprisonment. I am delighted that occurred. Other people face such charges because of what they do to our nurses and doctors who deliver a service to the public. In the past, these people who work so well in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, have had a cultural approach of being inclined to sweep such offences under the carpet and accept it as an occupational risk: “From time to time we get drug-crazed and violent patients.” I find no excuse acceptable for behaviour that leads to an assault on public officers. It is appropriate in these cases that the police lay charges at the highest end of the scale because assaulting public officers in the performance of their duty is a serious offence under the Criminal Code. The traditional approach was to lay charges of common assault, if charges were laid at all. This loud and clear message should go out to everyone who for whatever reason - no reason is acceptable - commits an assault on a nurse or doctor in our emergency departments: the full force of the law will be thrown at them. I hope every element of government from the courts down commits to support nurses and doctors in their difficult job. I am delighting that that is taking place. Since the announcement of the new policy in March of this year - the zero tolerance policy, under which no excuse is acceptable - the Government has moved to ensure that every offence is reported and goes to the police and that charges are laid at the serious end of the scale; namely, assault on a public officer. I hope the courts continue to give our doctors and nurses the support they have given to date. Another person was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and I know another charge is pending of assault against a public officer, again as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner. At the punishment end, there is a new approach in Western Australia under which people are charged with the most serious offence possible under the Criminal Code. People are being prosecuted vigorously. The Government is giving 100 per cent support to our nurses and doctors through the provision of security officers and posters appearing in the emergency departments advising everyone of the zero tolerance policy. I hope that continues. People who commit this despicable act of assaulting people who come to their aid and assistance will be locked up if they continue that behaviour. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove.
(1)-(3) I have just returned from the emergency department at Royal Perth Hospital where I spoke to nurse Tracey Gilchrist, who was earlier this year a victim of an assault; she was injured as a result of completely unacceptable behaviour by a patient. I find it hard to find words to describe the despicable act of people who turn around and physically assault the people there to tend and care for them. I find that in no way to be acceptable. One assault on nurses and doctors in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, is one too many. Unfortunately, while we were at the hospital, we saw a real example of the problems nurses and doctors working for the benefit of the public must encounter every day of their working lives, when a violent and abusive person threatened hospital staff. It was there manifestly for everyone to see. This illustrated the grave difficulties that nurses and doctors, who do such a superb job in our emergency departments, face every day at work. The good news to come out of this process is that nurse Gilchrist laid a charge; she confirmed this. She had the full cooperation and support of her colleagues in the emergency department, the hospital and all arms of government, including the police. Most importantly, she had the full support of our courts because the woman who committed the assault on her was convicted not of assault, but of assault of a public officer, and was sentenced to imprisonment. I am delighted that occurred. Other people face such charges because of what they do to our nurses and doctors who deliver a service to the public. In the past, these people who work so well in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, have had a cultural approach of being inclined to sweep such offences under the carpet and accept it as an occupational risk: “From time to time we get drug-crazed and violent patients.” I find no excuse acceptable for behaviour that leads to an assault on public officers. It is appropriate in these cases that the police lay charges at the highest end of the scale because assaulting public officers in the performance of their duty is a serious offence under the Criminal Code. The traditional approach was to lay charges of common assault, if charges were laid at all. This loud and clear message should go out to everyone who for whatever reason - no reason is acceptable - commits an assault on a nurse or doctor in our emergency departments: the full force of the law will be thrown at them. I hope every element of government from the courts down commits to support nurses and doctors in their difficult job. I am delighting that that is taking place. Since the announcement of the new policy in March of this year - the zero tolerance policy, under which no excuse is acceptable - the Government has moved to ensure that every offence is reported and goes to the police and that charges are laid at the serious end of the scale; namely, assault on a public officer. I hope the courts continue to give our doctors and nurses the support they have given to date. Another person was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and I know another charge is pending of assault against a public officer, again as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner. At the punishment end, there is a new approach in Western Australia under which people are charged with the most serious offence possible under the Criminal Code. People are being prosecuted vigorously. The Government is giving 100 per cent support to our nurses and doctors through the provision of security officers and posters appearing in the emergency departments advising everyone of the zero tolerance policy. I hope that continues. People who commit this despicable act of assaulting people who come to their aid and assistance will be locked up if they continue that behaviour. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove.
The good news to come out of this process is that nurse Gilchrist laid a charge; she confirmed this. She had the full cooperation and support of her colleagues in the emergency department, the hospital and all arms of government, including the police. Most importantly, she had the full support of our courts because the woman who committed the assault on her was convicted not of assault, but of assault of a public officer, and was sentenced to imprisonment. I am delighted that occurred. Other people face such charges because of what they do to our nurses and doctors who deliver a service to the public. In the past, these people who work so well in our hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments, have had a cultural approach of being inclined to sweep such offences under the carpet and accept it as an occupational risk: “From time to time we get drug-crazed and violent patients.” I find no excuse acceptable for behaviour that leads to an assault on public officers. It is appropriate in these cases that the police lay charges at the highest end of the scale because assaulting public officers in the performance of their duty is a serious offence under the Criminal Code. The traditional approach was to lay charges of common assault, if charges were laid at all. This loud and clear message should go out to everyone who for whatever reason - no reason is acceptable - commits an assault on a nurse or doctor in our emergency departments: the full force of the law will be thrown at them. I hope every element of government from the courts down commits to support nurses and doctors in their difficult job. I am delighting that that is taking place. Since the announcement of the new policy in March of this year - the zero tolerance policy, under which no excuse is acceptable - the Government has moved to ensure that every offence is reported and goes to the police and that charges are laid at the serious end of the scale; namely, assault on a public officer. I hope the courts continue to give our doctors and nurses the support they have given to date. Another person was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and I know another charge is pending of assault against a public officer, again as a result of an assault on a nurse at Sir Charles Gairdner. At the punishment end, there is a new approach in Western Australia under which people are charged with the most serious offence possible under the Criminal Code. People are being prosecuted vigorously. The Government is giving 100 per cent support to our nurses and doctors through the provision of security officers and posters appearing in the emergency departments advising everyone of the zero tolerance policy. I hope that continues. People who commit this despicable act of assaulting people who come to their aid and assistance will be locked up if they continue that behaviour. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove.
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