Push to protect ER staff from patients

From ABC News:

The Australian Medical Association of Victoria says that emergency ward workers are experiencing an epidemic of violence from the patients in their care.

Up to 2 per cent of patient admissions into Victorian emergency departments result in staff being threatened.

The new laws will increase penalties for people who assault emergency health professionals on the job.

But the Australian Medical Association of Victoria’s Dr Stephen Parnis says that any new penalties should cover all health workers, no matter where they practice.

“What we argue is that the risks to health care workers extend beyond the emergency department,” he said.