Hon Dr Shane Reti
Minister of Health

Health Minister Dr Shane Reti is again reminding New Zealanders that violence against patients, visitors and health workers won’t be tolerated, with additional security for hospital emergency departments across the country this summer.

“Staff and patients in our EDs deserve to feel safe when they’re working or visiting hospitals across New Zealand,” says Dr Reti.

“EDs can be particularly busy and stressful during the holiday period and our Government is again taking extra safety steps to ease this, building on last year’s successful programme and our additional commitment in Budget 2024.”

Budget 2024 committed $31 million over four years for:

• Increased security for eight high-priority EDs
• Surge capacity in busy periods for all EDs, and
• Additional training for Health New Zealand’s security team of more than 1,000 frontline staff.

“Our 100-day plan prioritised security in emergency departments and Budget 2024 backed this up by providing that multi-year funding to employ 44 additional full time security personnel across our eight high-priority emergency departments.

“Most of these guards are now in place. Remaining vacancies will be filled with temporary cover while recruitment for full time positions is underway in Auckland, Wellington, Middlemore and Dunedin hospitals.

“As, part of Budget 2024 we also announced a flexible funding package allowing Health NZ to surge security support across all 33 emergency departments when needed. This is particularly helpful during summer for the many events being held in regional and rural areas.

“Twenty hospitals will receive additional funding this summer.

“Health NZ also has an additional $408,000 available to provide surge security into all EDs if there is a major incident or event that requires a greater security presence.

“Budget 2024 also included support for additional training and support for ED security teams, behavioural incident leads and clinical staff. The focus of this training is on de-escalation and safe restraint, as well as other training to help keep themselves and others safe.

“I’m pleased to announce this training is ready to be delivered with the first programmes starting on 13 January, and all eight priority EDs fully trained by May 2025.

“Anyone working or visiting our EDs should be safe and welcomed,” Dr Reti says.

Notes:

Hospitals to receive a surge capacity boost this summer:

• Northern: Bay of Islands, Dargaville, Kaitaia, Whangārei
• Te Manawa Taki: Rotorua, Taupō, Waikato, Thames, Taranaki Base
• Central: Hawkes Bay, Whanganui, Palmerston North, Hutt Valley
• Te Waipounamu: Nelson, Wairau, Ashburton, Christchurch, Greymouth, Timaru, Lakes District

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