Words from Shane – Staff Safety

I am writing to inform you of an incident which occurred earlier this week in St Albans, and to outline the supports available to all Western Health staff to ensure you are safe as you leave your place of work.

On Monday evening at about 6pm, a staff member who had left Sunshine Hospital at the end of their working day was assaulted while walking to their car. The assault occurred in the vicinity of Ivy Street, St Albans – a residential street approximately 400 metres from Sunshine Hospital.

I have spoken to the affected staff member, and they are shaken but thankfully not seriously injured. Their mobile phone was stolen, and we are working with police as they investigate the incident.

I do not want to alarm staff, however I am informing you of this incident to ensure that you are aware that it has occurred and so that you can make informed decisions to support your own safety.

Safety is always our highest priority, and all staff at Western Health should feel safe before, during and after your shifts.

Security measures and services available to staff

Security patrols at Sunshine Hospital have been advised of this incident, and are maintaining a visible presence around the Hospital precinct.

Security guards regularly patrol carparks and external areas of the Sunshine Hospital precinct, and a dedicated security vehicle patrols every evening between 6pm and midnight.

Western Health provides a range of services to ensure your safety as you leave your place of work, and we encourage all of you to utilise these services. The services and supports available at each campus are outlined below.

If you have any questions about our security services and staff safety, please ask your manager, or contact Bryan Ross, Director of Health Support Services.

Sunshine Hospital and Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s

Security Escorts

Security Escorts are available to staff between the hours of 6pm and midnight, 7 days a week. This includes an in-vehicle escort service anywhere on site at Sunshine Hospital, or to Ginifer Station.

You can request an escort by calling 0452 432 698 or by downloading and registering for the Assist App via this link Security Escort Request

Secure Car Parking

Secure car parking is available to all staff. You can gain access by following this link and completing and submitting the required form – Western Health Staff Car Parking access form

Footscray Hospital

Security Escorts

Security guards regularly patrol carparks and external areas, and a dedicated security vehicle patrols every evening between 9pm and midnight.

Security Escorts are available to staff between the hours of 9pm and midnight, 7 days a week. You can request an escort by calling 0414 262 698 or by downloading and registering for the Assist App via this link Security Escort Request

Secure Car Parking

You can gain access to secure car parking by following this link and completing and submitting the required form – Western Health Staff Car Parking access form. There is a wait list for full access, but staff on the wait list have access after 5pm on weekdays, and all day on Saturdays and Sundays.

Sunbury Day Hospital

Security guards patrol every evening from Monday to Saturday. Secure car parking is available to all staff on site.

Williamstown Hospital, Bacchus Marsh Hospital, Melton Health Hub

You can request an on-site Security Officer to escort you to the boundary of the Hospital site and watch you safely return to your car.

If reading about this incident has raised any issues for you or anyone in your team, support is available via Western Health’s EAP program, or via Western Health’s Peer Support Program.

Thank you for the role you play in delivering or supporting Best Care to our patients and community every day.

Regards,

Adjunct Professor Shane Crowe
Acting CEO