Updated
Doctors, nurses and security guards at West Australian hospitals could soon be wearing body armour to protect them from increasingly violent and aggressive patients and visitors.
Key points:
- 11,304 incidents of aggression were reported at WA tertiary hospitals last year
- Documents show the vests need to protect staff from bullets, blades and spikes
- The first purchase could be made before June 2019
The Health Department has put a tender for the custom manufacture of up to 250 body armour vests, saying the protective clothing was necessary “to improve the safety of workers at risk of injury from increasing levels of violence and aggression”.
The Government said it hoped to purchase the first batch of vests before June 2019, and said the order may be expanded in the future.
The document states the armour would need to protect hospital and security staff from bullets, blades and spikes.
It also states that the vests must:
“Offer protection from multiple threats, including ballistic projectiles and will incorporate a high level of stab and slash protection from common sharp objects, including steak knives, screw drivers and other pointed and serrated objects.”
They would also need to have pouches for the attachment of capsicum spray, as well as body worn cameras.
Number of assaults against hospital staff
| Tertiary hospital | Incidents of aggression, 2017 |
|---|---|
| Fiona Stanley Hospital | 3,479 |
| Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital | 3,587 |
| King Edward Memorial Hospital | 236 |
| Royal Perth Hospital | 4,002 |
There were 11,304 reported incidents of aggression at Perth tertiary hospitals in 2017.
The highest number, just over 4,000, was at Royal Perth Hospital.
King Edward Memorial, a hospital for women and newborns, reported 236 incidents of aggression.
Earlier this year the Victorian Government also provided stab-proof vests for hospitals, though it is understood these were for security staff.
Health Minister Roger Cook said the anti-stab vests would be provided to security staff, while other “at-risk” public health workers would be provided with mobile duress alarms.
The alarms would also be used by staff conducting home visits and at remote nursing posts.
“Anti-stab vests will cover vital organs and reduce the risk of sharps injuries from syringes and knives from aggressive patients and are intended for use by security staff,” Mr Cook said.
Topics:
doctors-and-medical-professionals,
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