Surge in Assaults on Hospital Workers Raises Alarm in Health Sector

A significant rise in assaults against hospital staff has emerged, with recent figures showing a staggering 30 percent increase over two years. According to data obtained by RNZ, there were 7,777 reported assaults against Health NZ staff in the year leading up to June 2023, up from 6,635 the previous year and 6,001 in 2021. This alarming trend has raised concerns among healthcare professionals about the safety and wellbeing of those working on the front lines.

In a statement reflecting the gravity of the situation, Tracy Chisholm, an emergency nurse at Waikato Hospital and delegate for the NZ Nurses Organisation, noted the challenges of reporting assaults in a high-pressure environment. “I get sworn at and abused every week,” she explained, indicating that physical and verbal violence have become “an accepted part of our workplace.” Waikato Hospital alone reported over 340 assaults in the past year, a marked increase from approximately 260 assaults two years ago.

Response and Safety Measures

In light of these escalating incidents, Health NZ has allocated NZ$31 million in additional funding aimed at enhancing hospital security. This investment includes the hiring of 44 new security officers at larger hospitals, and staff have received 20,000 hours of violence-reduction training. Despite these measures, frontline workers continue to express concerns about the underlying issues contributing to workplace violence.

Chisholm, along with other healthcare professionals, points to long waiting times and chronic under-resourcing as critical factors that exacerbate tensions within hospital settings. Union leaders and patient advocates have voiced the need for immediate improvements in staffing levels and safe working conditions to mitigate the risks.

Malcolm Mulholland, a representative from Patient Voice Aotearoa, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “I just hope we don’t see the day where a hospital worker suffers severe injury or death.” His statement underscores the growing apprehension among healthcare workers regarding their safety and the potential consequences of systemic pressures within the health system.

The current situation raises serious questions about the sustainability of hospital environments in New Zealand and the protection of those who dedicate their lives to patient care. As the number of reported assaults continues to climb, it is clear that addressing the root causes of violence in healthcare settings is essential for the safety of both staff and patients alike.