Preventing Occupational Violence in Queensland’s Public Hospitals

Initiative Type
Service Improvement
Status
Deliver
Added
29 January 2018
Last updated
09 February 2024

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). Led by Joanna Griffiths with a specialist background in innovation and workforce improvement, the team are driven to create a safer future for all healthcare staff and strongly uphold “Putting People First”. The team brings 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. 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.

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

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.

Benefits

  • 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.

Share this

Key contact

Jo Griffiths
Project Manager
Queensland Occupational Violence Strategy Unit
(07) 3647 9747
QOVSU@health.qld.gov.au