Preventing Occupational Violence in Queensland’s Public Hospitals

Overview

Initiative type

Service Improvement

Status

Deliver

Published

29 January 2018

Topic

Awards Drug and alcohol Mental health Safety

Summary

Metro North Hospital and Health Service (HHS) has championed this statewide project and is the hub for the Queensland Occupational Violence Strategy Unit (QOVSU). The team are driven to create a safer future for all healthcare staff and strongly uphold “Putting People First” by bringing a range of specialist knowledge and first-hand experience in the fields of emergency medicine, post incident support, evaluation and delivers advanced project management skills and support to the statewide project.

Key dates

Jan 2017 - Jan 2018

Implementation sites

All Queensland Public Hospitals

Partnerships

Human Resources Branch, Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs Branch, Queensland Clinical Senate, Together Union and Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation), Queensland Ambulance Service, Queensland Police Service, Health Consumers Queensland

Aim

Implementation of the recommendations of the Occupational Violence Prevention in Queensland Health’s Hospital and Health Services Committee Report.

Outcomes

The QOVSU have led the implementation of many OV initiatives throughout Queensland HHSs and will continue to do so through working collaboratively, compassionately, and relentlessly to prioritise the safety of staff, patients, and visitors.

Influences organisational decision making and advocates for the provision of appropriate resources to improve health and safety within Queensland Health.
Ensures that the Minister for Health and Director-General are informed of key issues, trends, performance and achievements related to occupational violence.

Background

The QOVSU was tasked to implement the 20 recommendations outlined in the Occupational Violence Prevention in Queensland Health’s Hospital and Health Services Taskforce Report (May 2016) as initiated by Mr Michael Walsh, Director-General, Queensland Health, and the then-Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services, Mr Cameron Dick.

Discussion

The project was a finalist in the Promoting Wellbeing Category at the 2017 Queensland Health Awards for Excellence.

The recommendations that were implemented can be viewed in Occupational Violence Taskforce Report.

Key contact

Jo Griffiths

Project Manager

Queensland Occupational Violence Strategy Unit

Email: QOVSU@health.qld.gov.au

Last updated: April 2025