Dunedin Hospital will have an extra five security staff this summer as part of a government bid to make emergency departments safer.
It is one of eight hospitals nationally to be classed as higher risk, while a further 24 — including Southland Hospital and Lakes District Hospital — will also receive between two and five extra security staff.
The coalition government yesterday announced the $5.7 million boost to emergency department security this summer.
It will employ an extra 200 people, or 93 fulltime equivalent staff.
Health Minister Shane Reti said the government had listened to ED staff about increasing violence in hospitals, and was committed to keeping health workers safe during a particularly busy time.
"The safety of the health workforce and patients has to be a priority.
"These staff will be ready to provide round-the-clock cover and the first people are on the ground already," Dr Reti said.
Eight higher-risk emergency departments — in the four Auckland hospitals, along with Waikato, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin — would each receive an additional five security staff until the end of February.
A further 24 emergency departments near summer hot spots would each receive between two and five additional security staff to help manage pressures over the summer holiday peak period.
These staff would be available through to mid-January or late February, depending on local needs.
Dr Reti said he was also committed to working on a longer-term plan to improve security.
"In 2021, [Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand] reported 1179 assaults, rising to 3459 in 2022.
"In the first three months of 2023, 1267 assaults were reported.
"If this trend continues, it will have exceeded 5000 reported incidents in 2023.
"That’s totally unacceptable," Dr Reti said.
There was no place for people being abusive or aggressive towards staff who were doing their best in often stressful situations, he said.
"Emergency departments in particular are a vital part of our health system, and all New Zealanders — and the people caring for them — need to feel confident they will be safe when they walk through the door."
