Northern Health’s Strengthening Hospital Responses to Family Violence (SHRFV) Program has partnered with the Blue Knot Trauma Foundation to provide Trauma-Informed Professional Development across Northern Health.

Trauma is an emotional response that is caused by a distressing event or series of events that can affect a person’s ability to cope and function. In Australia, traumatic experiences are unfortunately widespread, affecting a significant portion of our population. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), approximately 75 per cent of adults have encountered at least one traumatic event during their lifetime.

Trauma-informed care focuses on meeting the healthcare needs of patients who have experienced the impacts of trauma. The aim is to support patients to feel empowered and safe and to avoid any re-traumatisation, so they are able to actively engage in their health care and healing.

Northern Health has a crucial role in identifying and responding to patients experiencing family violence and other forms of complex trauma. Our collaboration with Blue Knot aims to further embed the Family Violence MARAM Framework into our clinical practice.

Dr Peter Streker, Trauma Therapist and Senior Fellow at the University of Melbourne’s Department of Psychiatry, presented several professional development sessions to staff across the Emergency Department, Short Stay Unit, Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, Urgent Care, Palliative Care, Women’s & Children’s, Aboriginal Support Unit, Koori Maternity Service, Transcultural & Language Services, Allied Health and OH&S.

Dr Streker spoke to clinical staff about ‘Working with Complex Trauma’. He also spoke to the leadership team about ‘Trauma Responsive Leadership’.

Trauma-Sensitive Practice – Working with Complex Trauma is specifically designed to enhance clinical skills in identifying and responding to patients who have experienced family violence and complex trauma. It incorporates current research to explain the impact of trauma on the brain and the neurobiological responses that occur when a person has experienced trauma.

Trauma Responsive Leadership is specifically designed to explore the application of a trauma-informed lens when supporting staff members and teams who work with complex trauma. Trauma responsive leadership means both the individual and the organisation recognise and respond to trauma which can enable change and strengthen resilience and protective factors. A trauma responsive leader embeds trauma informed principles into practice and creates a culture of trust and safety in the workplace.

Tanya Ellis, Strengthening Hospital Response to Family Violence (SHRFV) Program Manager, says that it is a significant achievement that staff have completed the Family Violence MARAM Mandatory Training.

“To further strengthen our response, it is important to continue to build on our knowledge, skills, and capacity in this area to ensure we provide the highest standard trauma-informed care to our patients,” she said.

Tanya reminds staff to please ensure to use the Family Violence MARAM Screening & Identification Tool when working with a patient who is at risk of family violence.  The Tool is trauma-informed and best practice in identifying and responding to family violence. The Tool is located on PROPMT and EMR (AdHoc Forms Section).

The SHRFV Program is available to provide specialist consultation and facilitate family violence education. Please contact the SHRFV Program if you would like to organise training in your area (8405 8519).