The AIHW report released today has revealed assault-related hospitalisations of health care workers have more than doubled in the past decade, and assault is now the second leading cause of injury hospitalisation in this workforce. More than 7400 health care workers have been hospitalised for a work-related injury in the past 10 years, including 819 in 2024–25 alone.
The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM; the College) said the figures reflect the daily reality reported by emergency department (ED) staff and reinforce the urgency of the College's own findings.
ACEM has been a leading voice on the increase in violence occurring in EDs. Its Breaking Point: An Urgent Call to Action on Emergency Department Safety report, released last year, drew on a survey of Directors of Emergency Medicine at ACEM-accredited EDs and found that nine out of 10 respondents had witnessed violent incidents in their ED in the past week.
ACEM President Dr Peter Allely said the AIHW data validates concerns the College has raised directly with governments and health services.
"These figures put a number on something ED staff are witnessing constantly," Dr Allely said.
"Emergency doctors and nurses go to work to care for people, not to be hospitalised themselves. When assaults on health care workers that require hospitalisation double in a decade, that is a sign the systems meant to protect staff and patients are falling short."
"Breaking Point set out what needs to change: better reporting of violent incidents, a properly resourced ED security officer role, and a whole-of-system approach that reduces wait times in EDs and reduces avoidable presentations through stronger primary care, mental health and aged care."
"We have taken these recommendations to state, territory and federal governments, and we have been invited to present our findings directly to hospitals. Just last week we had a constructive meeting with the ACT Health Minister on this issue, and engagement like that matters."
“The next step is turning that engagement into funded action. Today's data shows the problem is not easing, and it's time for governments and hospitals to move from discussion to implementation.”
ACEM's Breaking Point: An Urgent Call to Action on Emergency Department Safety report can be read here.
Background:
ACEM is the peak body for emergency medicine in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, responsible for training emergency physicians and advancement of professional standards. www.acem.org.au
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