UPDATE SINCE PUBLICATION. 16 July 2026.

Responses received, but Barwon Health is yet to commit to a timeline. 

Six weeks on from the original letter, three responses are now in — and NPAA has gone back to the table:

• Council stepped up. The City of Greater Geelong (CEO Ali Wastie, 25 June) offered healthcare workers access to the Council-managed Busport parking facility, backed the reinstatement of a shuttle or park-and-ride service, and committed to exploring targeted lighting and CCTV upgrades. NPAA has publicly commended this as a practical, proactive response.
• The Minister responded, but at arm's length. Health Minister Harriet Shing (10 July) confirmed the Department of Health is engaging with Barwon Health, and pointed to two actions already taken: a new Manager, Security and Emergency Management position created in June, and an independent external review of clinical governance, leadership and risk management now underway.
• Barwon Health's response lacked commitments. Barwon Health itself replied on 19 June, but — per NPAA's follow-up letter — "not one of the actions committed to include a concrete timeline or completion date." NPAA says the situation for members has not improved since.
• New incidents keep coming. Fresh survey responses collected since the original letter describe mental health patients keying a nurse's car, homeless people and "ill-at-ease" individuals loitering around entries, and two male ED nurses recently threatened with stabbing. One nurse has permanently moved to night shifts purely to get a car park she considers safe.
• NPAA has escalated. On 15 July, Kara Thomas wrote again — commending Council, but calling on Barwon Health and the Victorian Government to match Council's commitment with concrete action. NPAA has requested a written progress update within 14 days on six specific items: the shuttle feasibility review, strengthening security escorts and response times, additional after-hours parking, lighting/CCTV/duress upgrades, the internal incident communication protocol, and the status of the council parking partnership.

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Original Article. Jun 15, 2026, 9:32:07 AM

The Nurses Professional Association of Australia (NPAA) has called for urgent action to improve staff safety at Geelong University Hospital following the alleged assault of two midwives after a late-night shift.

NPAA President Kara Thomas has written to Victorian Health Minister Harriet Shing, Barwon Health Chief Executive Frances Diver, and other key stakeholders, calling for what she described as "systemic action" to address longstanding safety concerns raised by healthcare workers.

The letter follows a survey of hospital staff, which revealed widespread concerns about personal safety when travelling to and from work. Every respondent reported feeling unsafe walking to or from their vehicle, with many describing incidents involving harassment, intimidation, verbal abuse, vehicle break-ins, and physical threats.

According to the survey, many staff members said they had stopped reporting safety incidents because they believed "nothing would change".

The alleged assault of two midwives on 29 May has brought these concerns into sharp focus. Staff have reported being advised to walk in pairs after late-night shifts; however, many healthcare workers say this is not always practical.

One staff member explained:

"As a theatre staff member, our hours are not regular. The ability to buddy up to walk is not available at 1am."

Another healthcare worker described a pattern of concerning behaviour outside the hospital:

"I worked at University Hospital Geelong for eight years. In that time, predators repeatedly followed healthcare workers out of the hospital."

In her letter, Ms Thomas called on Barwon Health to introduce a range of measures that include: expanded 24/7 security escorts, improved lighting and CCTV coverage, increased staff parking closer to hospital entrances, and the reinstatement of a shuttle service previously used to transport staff safely to their vehicles.

Ms Thomas also urged Barwon Health to improve communication with staff following serious incidents.

"Staff should be immediately notified when incidents occur, not through the media or word of mouth."

The NPAA has requested a formal response outlining proposed actions and timelines to address staff safety concerns.

"Healthcare workers dedicate their lives to caring for others. They deserve to feel safe when arriving at work, during their shift, and when returning home to their families," Ms Thomas said.

The NPAA will continue advocating for practical solutions that protect nurses, midwives, and all healthcare workers in the workplace.