Minns Labor Government takes further action to keep health workers safe with Hospital Industry Action Group

Led by SafeWork NSW, the formation of the Hospital Industry Action Group comes as the Government continues rolling out its trial body worn cameras among the state's hospital security guards.

The Hospital Industry Action Group will invite representatives from NSW Health, private hospitals, SafeWork NSW and unions to work on key critical safety issues affecting hospital staff, primarily violence and aggression.

There are 23 SafeWork inspectors involved in the compliance operation in NSW hospitals. The action group will use data, intelligence and insights from stakeholders to prevent work-related violence.

The health care and social assistance sector is the largest and fastest growing in the state, accounting for over 60,000 workers in NSW.

A survey from the Australian Workers' Union and Head First found 40 per cent of health and community services workers were exposed to violent or traumatic events at work. This was higher than industries such as construction (15 per cent), manufacturing (8 per cent) and mining (15 per cent).  

The Group will leverage data, intelligence and insights from stakeholders to build on the work of the Action Against Violence in NSW Hospitals Working Group, which has worked with representatives across the health sector to prevent work-related violence in NSW hospitals.

Some key achievements of the Working Group include the development of a toolkit to address work related violence in the hospital system, as well as a webinar series on preventing and managing work-related violence and aggression.

This builds on the Minns Labor Government's work to keep people safe in NSW public hospitals, including: the trial of body worn cameras trial; increasing the number of security personnel across the system; improving workplace safety culture; the use of closed-circuit television and controlling public access to restricted areas; and standardising security practices across NSW Health facilities.  

All staff in NSW public hospitals have ways to summon assistance which may include a personal mobile or fixed duress alarm. Staff are encouraged to summon the Code Black team response early, to minimise the risk of injury to staff and patients and prevent further escalation of a situation. 

The Hospital Industry Action Group will work collectively on key critical safety issues, such as patient handling, slips, trips and falls and psychosocial hazards affecting hospital staff.

While aggressive episodes can happen across every hospital setting. NSW Health encourages a positive workplace safety culture where staff are supported to report incidents, including incidents which result in no harm.  

Workers who have concerns about workplace health and safety can anonymously contact SafeWork on 13 10 50 or through the Speak Up Save Lives website at https://speakup.safework.nsw.gov.au/

For information on safety in the health sector, visit the SafeWork NSW website at https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/your-industry/health-care-and-social-assistance

Minister for Health Ryan Park said: 

"The safety of our staff and patients is my top priority as the Minister for Health. 

"The launch of this Hospital Industry Action Group is essential to helping protect the hardworking staff in our NSW public hospitals. 

"This builds on the work the Minns Labor Government has already done to help ensure the safety of hospital workers, but there is more to do." 

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:  

"I welcome this decisive action to protect hospital workers across New South Wales by launching the SafeWork NSW Hospital Industry Action Group. It reflects our commitment to ensuring every hospital worker can go to work and return home safely.   

"The Minns Labor Government takes psychosocial risks seriously and requires employers to manage them like any other health and safety issue. 

"The NSW Government's 2025-26 Budget announcement strengthened the state's work health and safety regulator with a major $127.7 million investment over the next four years to address psychosocial hazards and compliance and enforcement of safe work practices.   

"51 inspectors are being recruited, which includes 20 psychosocial-focused inspectors. 

"The targeted reform is part of a broader $344 million Workplace Mental Health package, strengthening mental health support and injury prevention strategies in NSW workplaces."   

SafeWork NSW Commissioner Janet Schorer said: 

"All NSW hospitals should be free from work-related violence and aggression so workers can safely deliver high-quality care. 

"The Hospital Industry Action Group brings together representatives from across the health sector in NSW with a shared vision to safer workplaces for our hospital staff. 

"Worker safety and care is just as important as patient safety and care." 

Health Services Union Secretary Gerard Hayes said: 

"We cannot accept violence and aggression being directed at our tireless hospital workers. They take care of us when we are vulnerable, and they take pride in doing so. We very much welcome this action from the Minns Government to improve safety for hospital workers.

"We know violent incidents are increasing in our hospitals and we must be taking steps like this to address it. If we want to attract and retain hospital workers, we need to ensure they are safe environments, both physically and psychologically."

NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association, General Secretary, Shaye Candish said:

"The NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association looks forward to being part of the new Hospital Industry Action Group.

"This action group must drive the changes that protect our members at work and ensures nurses and midwives' voices are at the table."