The Rural Doctors Association says health workers in remote areas will welcome tougher penalties for people who assault nurses, doctors and paramedics.
The Queensland Government is doubling the maximum sentence to 14 years for people who assault health workers.
The association’s Dr Sheilagh Cronin said remote staff often work for long periods with minimal support and increased levels of violence had been a concern for workers.
“I’m sure there are some people who think they can basically get off their heads on drugs, turn up at a casualty or emergency department and misbehave and think that nothing will happen because of it,” she said.
“People get punched or spat at and this is the sort of thing that happens but I think this really strengthens the message that if you assault health workers you can expect very serious repercussions.”
She said health workers in rural areas often worked by themselves and safety had been a concern for some years.
“Many people who go and work in rural areas, often it’s single females, you don’t have the numbers of people around that might come to your assistance,” she said.
“Very often for remote area nurses and doctors, you might be on your own.
“This Queensland Government policy which puts up strict but not draconian repercussions if you assault a health worker is to be welcomed.”