Calls to increase protections against assaults on doctors

GPs have often been left out of the conversation on violence against healthcare workers.

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Expansion of legislation around assaults on frontline health workers to include GPs is welcome, but can others please follow suit, says the AMA.

Today, the AMA released a new position statement on managing violence in medical workplaces.

While the document is most relevant to hospital settings, it does make a considered nod to general and private practice.

GPs have, in the past, been left off the list when it comes to reform regarding violence against medical staff.

During the pandemic, New South Wales and South Australia moved to strengthen laws related to assault against health workers.

But in NSW, GPs were left off the list.

Earlier this year, the state moved to expand their definition of “frontline health workers” to right this wrong.

Under the new laws, people who assault, throw an object at or otherwise intimidate a doctor doing their job could be subject to up to five years in prison, even if no actual bodily harm is caused.

Last month, the Northern Territory’s government passed new legislation around violence against emergency services and police, including a minimum three-month sentence for physical harm or spitting on these frontline workers.

This did not include GPs and other doctors outside of emergency services, although an assault against any worker carrying out their duties resulting in physical harm will attract mandatory community work.

It forms part of the party’s substantial law and order agenda, which includes the contentious reduction in the age of criminal responsibility.

In its new position statement, the AMA said the onus of implementing violence mitigation and response plans in general and private practice lay with governments and workplace leadership.

“The AMA is supportive of recent changes to NSW legislation to increase the deterrence towards those who assault medical practitioners and calls for all state and territory governments to place greater protections on all medical professionals, including general practitioners and practice staff,” reads the statement.

The association recommended implementing the following measures:

• a zero-tolerance policy towards violent behaviour, with clearly definitions of behaviours and actions that constitute violence and aggression,
• building a strong safety culture within the practice team,
• de-escalation training and awareness programs for all staff,
• installation of physical systems such as duress alarms or phone alert systems,
• ensuring there is always at least two team members present at all times,
• clear and engrained incident-response procedures.

AMA president Dr Danielle McMullen said violence in the workplace was unfortunately a reality faced by many doctors.

“It’s a sad fact that many frontline doctors can expect to become victims of workplace violence or aggression,” Dr McMullen said. 

“Doctors see patients and their families at some of the most stressful times of their lives, and feelings of frustration, confusion and anger are understandable, but when this frustration spills over into violence and aggression, it puts lives at risk.

“And it’s completely unacceptable.”

Dr McMullen said it was time to act.

“We need to address this crisis, and we need to address it now,” she said.

“It’s in everyone’s best interests we do all we can to eliminate violence in the medical workplace.” 

The RACGP released a brief guide on prevention and management of patient aggression and violence earlier this year.