‘Bashed, stabbed and spat at’: Violence in public hospitals on the rise

Physical assaults, threats of violence and verbal abuse against staff working in Brisbane’s public hospitals have nearly doubled in six years, as nurses and frontline workers warn not enough is being done to keep them safe.

Data obtained from Queensland Health shows more than 35,000 reported incidents of occupational violence against staff across Metro North and Metro South hospitals and health services from July 2019 until the end of September.

And the data reveals the Greater Brisbane hospitals with the most incidents of violence are both on the south side – the Princess Alexandra in Woolloongabba, and Logan Hospital.

Data shows reports of occupational violence in major Brisbane hospitals have nearly doubled in the last six years. Credit: Courtney Kruk

Southside hospitals sufferi