A workplace safety program designed to reduce conflict, occupational violence, and restraining patients has been introduced to Canberra public health services, the government announced.
The Safewards model — originally developed for mental health environments — has been implemented in 12 inpatient wards at Canberra Health Services’ mental health, medical, surgical and rehabilitation units. The final two wards at Canberra Hospital recently completed their rollout.
The program forms part of the government’s Nurses and Midwives: Towards a Safer Culture ‘The Next Steps’ Strategy, and centres on 12 practical strategies to improve communication, reduce conflict and containment, and support trauma-informed care.
A 2021 trial across four wards found that more than half of participating nurses saw conflict and containment reduce; two-thirds noted engagement among colleagues improve; and nearly half received positive feedback from patients and carers.
“By focusing on the relationship between staff and patients, Safewards proactively addresses the triggers that lead to occupational violence,” health minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said.
The government has also trained 196 staff to deliver clinical supervision — a structured, confidential form of support intended to reduce burnout and improve staff retention.
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation’s ACT branch welcomed the rollout, but signalled it would watch for results.
“Occupational violence remains one of the most serious issues facing nurses and midwives in the ACT, and evidence-based approaches like Safewards are an important part of addressing it,” branch secretary Carlyn Fidow said.
“When our members feel supported and safe at work, it directly impacts their ability to provide quality care — so initiatives that improve workplace culture matter.
“We will continue to work with the ACT Government and Canberra Health Services to ensure these initiatives are properly resourced, and that nurses and midwives see genuine, lasting improvements in their working conditions.”
