The ACT Government is celebrating International Safewards Day by recognising the success of the ACT's Towards a Safer Culture - Safewards program, making public hospitals safer for healthcare workers, patients, carers and families.
Safewards is an evidence-based model that helps staff and patients communicate more effectively to reduce conflict and instances of occupational violence.
It promotes collaboration between healthcare teams, consumers, carers and families to create safer, more supportive hospital environments.
The model includes 12 practical strategies staff can use to reduce the likelihood of conflict and support a positive environment. These include:
- sharing more information between team members and patients to build stronger relationships and find common areas of interest
- senior team members visiting each patient, enabling them to escalate any concerns and ensuring they feel seen and heard
- staff and patients agreeing on mutual expectations of each other in the hospital environment.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the ACT Government was proud to support the continued rollout of Safewards across Canberra's public hospitals.
"Safewards is transforming the way care is delivered in our hospitals. It's about creating and supporting environments where patients feel heard, staff feel supported, and everyone feels safe," Minister Stephen-Smith said.
"Today, on International Safewards Day, we celebrate the dedication of our nurses and healthcare workers who are championing this change. We are proud of our progress so far and grateful to our staff and consumers who are leading the way."
An initial pilot of the Safewards Model carried out in the ACT in 2021 found:
- more than half of Safewards nurses thought that the model of care had had an impact on conflict and containment in their workplace
- two out of three Safewards nurses thought their colleagues viewed Safewards favourably
- nearly half of all Safewards nurses had heard positive consumer/patient feedback.
Following the successful trial in four wards across Canberra Health Services, the ACT Government committed $4.67 million to expand the program under the Nurses and Midwives Towards a Safer Culture 'The Next Steps' Strategy aiming to implement Safewards in 12 wards by June 2026.
To date, Safewards has been introduced in 10 wards, with the Towards a Safer Culture team delivering more than 400 in-service education sessions and training over 450 Safewards Champions across Canberra Health Services.
Phase 4 of the rollout began on 30 June 2025 in Wards 7B and 7C of Building 5 at Canberra Hospital, which will complete the Government's commitment once fully implemented.
"The ACT Government made a commitment to implement Safewards in 12 wards by the middle of next year and that's exactly what we're doing. Congratulations to the team for their excellent work implementing this important model of care in our hospitals," Minister Stephen-Smith said.
Quotes attributable to Judy Ryall, Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery at Canberra Health Services:
"Safewards has empowered our nurses and midwives to build stronger and more respectful relationships with patients. It's not just about reducing conflict; it's about fostering trust and safety.
"Our nurses and midwives are at the heart of Safewards. Their commitment to compassionate and collaborative care is what makes this model so effective.
"We're proud of the leadership they have shown in creating safer spaces for everyone."
