08 Mar 2017 Wangaratta Chronicle, Wangaratta VIC (General News) State funded CCTV system to help prevent violence NORTHEAST Health Wangaratta (NHW) will receive $126,140 from the State Government for an integrated CCTV system to further bolster the safety of staff, patients and visitors. NHW deputy chief executive officer Tim Griffiths said the CCTV system, with 60 plus new cameras, will enable security staff to monitor the hospital surrounds for the first signs of violence, aggression and anti-social behaviour. This will allow earlier intervention and enhance staff, patient and visitor confidence and safety, he said. NHW is maintaining a concerted focus on strengthening security arrangements to support staff and patients. In addition to the integrated CCTV, NHW has also in the last 12 months implemented 24 hour/seven days a week security part of NHW proactive measures towards the continuance of a safe health service environment. Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria) said NHW was one of a dozen health services in Northern Victoria sharing in $697,509, funded through the governments $20 million Health Service Violence Prevention Fund. These projects build on the success of the first round of funding and continue to deliver on the Labor Governments election promise to reduce violence at hospitals and mental health services by improving facilities and making them safer for staff, patients and visitors, Ms Symes said. Health workers and their patients will now be safer and more secure thanks to this funding. Northern Victoria has an incredibly dedicated health and mental health workforce who deserve to feel safe and protected in the important work that they do. The Victorian AuditorGenerals Report into Occupational Health Violence Against Healthcare Workers found nurses, doctors, paramedics and other healthcare workers face particular risks because they are at the frontline when it comes to dealing with people in stressful, unpredictable and potentially volatile situations. The government is also funding a new public awareness campaign to reduce violence in Victorian hospitals. Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.