Victoria’s only forensic hospital stripped of trainees over violence

RANZCP disputes this characterization but ultimately hopes Forensicare can raise its standards by the time the next batch of placements begin in February. Otherwise, the college will find alternatives on a case-by-case basis; these may include placements on interstate or acute wards that do not contain forensic patients.

Two industry figures questioned whether local alternatives would expose trainees to equivalent experiences to prepare for work.

Three interns withdrew last week; two of these were registrars who had completed advanced forensic psychiatry certification. While the third intern was placed elsewhere, they were expected to transfer after completing 10 weeks of the 12-week placement.

RANZCP president Dr Astha Tomar said the decision was not taken lightly.

“Safety concerns regarding Forensic Care have been raised several times in recent years and we are monitoring ongoing issues with inadequate staffing levels and inadequate clinical turnover at Thomas Embling,” Tomar said in a statement. Age.

Loading

He said the university was committed to supporting affected trainees and exploring “future opportunities for safe and sustainable training at Thomas Embling Hospital”.

“The safety and well-being of our trainees is of great importance to us.”

The RANZCP first questioned Thomas Embling’s suitability to host students in July 2024 after the state’s workplace safety watchdog issued improvement notices for a series of failures in late 2023.

WorkSafe Victoria accused Forensicare of “failing to provide a system” to manage “occupational violence and aggression”.

The college, which is responsible for training psychiatrists and setting workforce standards, said it appreciated Forensicare’s attempts to deal with the problems.

“Despite these efforts, unresolved concerns (most recently a serious incident involving an intern) [Victorian Psychiatry Training Committee] Concluding that the current environment does not support safe and effective education. We understand the seriousness of this decision and the impact it will have on your service, your staff and the wider forensic mental health system,” last Friday’s letter said.

“We recognize the long-standing challenges facing Thomas Embling Hospital, particularly in relation to workforce pressures and safety risks.”

Forensicare said it was supporting affected trainees to “make a safe and seamless transition to alternative placements” and was working with the college to restore its accreditation.

“The safety of all Forensic Care staff is our number one priority and we have robust processes in place to reduce the risk of violence and aggression,” a spokesman said.

Training points in other parts of the facility, such as community services, continue.

A government spokesman said violence against healthcare workers was unacceptable.

“The coroner has made it clear that the provision of services to consumers at Thomas Embling Hospital will not be affected.”

He said the Department of Health and the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist were supporting the affected trainees and working with Forensic Care to restore accreditation.

Health and Community Service Union Victoria secretary Paul Healey supported the decision to keep those workers safe.

“But unfortunately for our members, withdrawing services and workforce is not an option as we cannot risk the safety of service users,” Healey said.

“So it is doubly imperative that the Victorian government and Forensicare break their silence, engage with the union and develop truly proactive safety plans to ensure everyone on site is safe when using or working on the facility.”

While jobs are being cut, the government is expanding the facility to add 82 beds to meet the Royal Commission’s key recommendation into the Victorian Mental Health System.

royal commission He said people in the criminal justice system often don’t get the support they need, and prisons have become a last resort for mental health.

Start your day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.