CASE STUDY
Safeguarding and securing our essential services.
Committed to enhancing the safety and security across our healthcare sector.
As a result of the tragic incident that led to an Emergency Department Doctor being critically injured at Tasmania’s North West Regional Hospital (NWRH) in 2023, the Tasmanian Government committed to an independent review of Emergency Department safety and security arrangements.
Following a number of incidents directly affecting frontline clinical staff, the Tasmanian Premier and Department of Health Secretary committed to a comprehensive review of the safety and security arrangements across all Tasmanian Emergency Departments.
Alexander James & Partners were appointed to conduct the independent review which included the North West Regional, Royal Hobart, Launceston General, and the Mersey Community Hospitals. The review focussed on understanding the current state of safety and security measures in place and identifying where improvements can be made to ensure the safety of staff, patrons and visitors.
AJP examined recent incidents and the operating environment at ED’s, with specific consideration to legislative / statutory and policy requirements, existing safety, security and incident response protocols, safety / security officer model and resourcing, adequacy of current training and induction processes as they relate to staff safety and security, safety and security communictaion and reporting processes and systems, the layout and configuration of ED’s, duty of care responsibilities, and emergency services integration and communication.
Independent review activities:
Review of Emergency Department design, layout and configuration
Review of current healthcare legislation (WHS, Mental Health, Health)
Risk assessment of occupational violence and aggression threats
Critical incident review
Security survey and audit of the Emergency Departments
Risk management planning advice and guidance
Testing and review of access control and CCTV system functionality and operation
Review of OVA prevention and behaviours of concern guidance
Review of good practice standards (Australian Healthcare Facility Guidelines)
Review of good practice stratgies for preventing occupational violence and aggression (Victoria Department of Health Ten Point Plan)
Review of emergency and incident response procedures and guidance (e.g. Code Black)
Evaluation of incident and safety communication and reporting systems
Advising on the roles and responsibilities for patient support / safety officers
Analysis of communication protocols between Ambulance Tasmania, Tasmania Police and the Emergency Department
Conducting staff interviews and workshops
Government Executive review progress briefings
Provision of independent safety and security review report.
Would you like to know more about our healthcare safety and security services?
Contact our team to learn more about this project and how Alexander James & Partners can help enhance the safety and security of your healthcare facility.
