Family & Domestic Violence training welcomed for Triple Zero (000) ambulance workforce

• More than $2 million in State Government funding for Family and Domestic Violence (FDV) training of St John’s Triple Zero (000) personnel,
• About 5500 St John personnel – including call-takers, on-road staff and volunteers – across the state will benefit,
• Builds on existing programs which support the workforce in mental health and wellbeing, and de-escalation skills.

St John WA has welcomed more than $2 million in State Government funding to expand sector-recognised Family and Domestic Violence (FDV) training to Western Australia’s Triple Zero (000) ambulance workforce.

Above, from left, St John WA Non-Executive Director Elisa Fear, Minister for Communities Simone McGurk, St John Clinical Education trainer Jaquie Pack, St John Executive Director People and Culture Tamsyn Howard, St John Board Chair and Commandery Lieutenant Sally Carbon OAM OLY.

The funding will build the capacity of about 5500 St John personnel including call-takers, on-road staff and volunteers to respond to family and domestic violence calls.

It will enable Triple Zero (000) responders to recognise and respond to the needs of patients who may be experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence with the aim of increasing the safety of patients, including children.

St John will partner with a FDV specialist to build on the capacity for identification and response to family and domestic violence within a health context and the training will be delivered in metro and regional areas.

St John records instances of FDV by injury – more broadly trauma, or psychosocial disturbance – which won’t specify individual circumstances. In the past year St John responded to more than 6000 cases involving psychosocial social problems, trauma in a domestic setting, assaults, sexual assaults, and stabbings for women aged up to 70.

Above: St John Executive Director People and Culture Tamsyn Howard 

St John Executive Director People and Culture Tamsyn Howard said the funding built on St John’s existing programs which deliver best practice mental health and wellbeing support and training to its people.

“We know it is not unusual for emergency medical personnel to encounter incidents of family and domestic violence in the course of their work, either in person or as a call taker,” Ms Howard said.

“This can take a real toll as patients may refuse transport or be in an ongoing vulnerable situation.

“We look forward to collaborating with sector leaders to develop a program which will suit the whole workforce, particularly those in the regions who may know the families involved.”

The training is expected to be rolled out in the middle of next year.