Hospital security boosted to protect patients and staff over busy summer period

Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says violence against patients, visitors, and healthcare workers in New Zealand’s emergency departments will not be tolerated, announcing additional security measures for hospitals nationwide this summer.

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

The summer months often see emergency departments under heightened pressure due to increased demand, particularly during the holiday period. To address this, the Government is expanding last year’s security programme with fresh funding outlined in Budget 2024, which allocated $31 million over four years for:

• Increased security at eight high-priority emergency departments,
• Surge capacity support for all EDs during peak periods, and
• Additional training for Health New Zealand’s 1,000-strong frontline security workforce.

As part of the initiative, 44 new full-time security personnel are being deployed to the busiest emergency departments, including Auckland, Wellington, Middlemore, and Dunedin hospitals. While some positions remain unfilled, temporary staff have been brought in to ensure coverage during recruitment.

Reti also highlighted a flexible funding package that allows Health NZ to ramp up security in any of the country’s 33 emergency departments during significant events or emergencies. This summer, 20 hospitals will receive additional funding, with an extra $408,000 set aside for surge capacity if required.

Specialised training programmes focused on de-escalation and safe restraint techniques will commence on January 13. All eight high-priority emergency departments are expected to complete this training by May 2025.

“Our 100-day plan prioritised security in emergency departments, and Budget 2024 backed this up,”Reti said.

“Anyone working or visiting our EDs should be safe and welcomed.”

Image credit: Marcelo Neal