The here and now
Safer hospitals: Code blacks down as security works with care team
New security practices at St John of God Midland Public Hospital (SJGMPH) have reduced the number of code blacks − personal threat emergencies − by creating a closer relationship between security and clinical staff.
During daily ward rounds, security staff work with senior care staff to identify patients who may pose a risk of violence. This allows clinical teams to raise any concerns early and gives the security team a chance to engage with patients in a calm setting − rather than encountering them for the first time during a crisis.
SJGMPH Manager of Security and Emergency Management, Brett Sutton, says the approach allows security staff to better understand a patient and manage the risks of occupational violence and aggression.
“Security is often seen as a black and white service and that doesn’t allow for patient-centred care,” he says.
“We get to know the patients that we may potentially respond to. We find out a little bit about them so we can have an appropriate response that might address their past triggers, so we don’t re-traumatise that patient in a response when they are in crisis.”
“It allows us to tailor our responses to our patients. The response to a young person with mental health will be different to someone who is outwardly aggressive or to our elderly with dementia who are acting out due to fear because of their condition.”
The new model saw an immediate reduction in code blacks, with numbers down 23 per cent since daily ward rounds were implemented in June 2023. The approach has also had a positive impact on the wellbeing of the security team and resulted in safer relationships with patients and visitors.
The SJGMPH security practices were recognised at our 2025 EMHS Excellence Symposium.
New beds, top marks for Kalamunda
Our world-class Kalamunda Hospital Palliative Care Centre of Excellence opened to full capacity in August 2024, confirming it as a leading provider of palliative care services in the state.
The hospital has been steadily increasing the capacity of its palliative care unit since 2017 and now has 30 specialised beds, supported by expert care teams providing high-quality symptom management and end-of-life care.
As the only public hospital in Western Australia with a dedicated palliative care unit, it is an important part of the EMHS network.
Patients and their families have rated the service exceptional, giving it a Net Promoter Score of more than 90 – a clear indicator of outstanding satisfaction and loyalty.
The top scores were recorded in October and November and place Kalamunda among the best in its field (scores of over 70 are considered world class). These results were the highest in EMHS, remarkable in Australia and came at a time the centre had above 95 per cent bed occupancy.
As well as in-patient palliative care, Kalamunda has day hospice and outpatient services. It also supports a 24-hour, doctor-led EMHS out-of-hours palliative care advice line which handled 269 calls between 1 September 2024 (when the service was launched) and the end of the financial year.
Palliative care at Kalamunda supports the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their families and is delivered by a caring team of health professionals.
It continues to develop for the betterment of the WA community.
