Doctor says the trauma of dealing with domestic violence cases is driving his ED staff away
A peak body for emergency doctors is calling on the NT to make drastic changes to alcohol policy amid worsening rates of domestic violence.
The emotional toll of dealing with domestic violence presentations in the NT is driving healthcare staff away from their jobs, the director of Alice Springs Hospital’s ED has warned.
“It isn’t a weekend thing — it is every single day. It traumatises the staff who look after the victims,” Dr Stephen Gourley said.
“ED staff get distressed by the frequency, the volume and by the sheer ferocity of the violence — and it’s getting worse.”
Dr Gourley, who is president of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, added: “[They] are treating high numbers of women every day for facial fractures, head injuries, strangulation, stabbings and defensive broken arms — from holding up their arms to try and protect themselves.”
