More than 9,200 Code Black incidents have been recorded across South Australian hospitals and health sites in just six months, prompting a new push to tackle violence and aggression towards healthcare workers.
New SA Health figures show 9,213 Code Black incidents were reported between January and June 2026. For comparison, 15,459 were recorded across the entire 2025 calendar year.
A Code Black can be declared in response to actual or threatened aggression, but can also be used as a preventative measure when staff identify a potentially volatile situation and need support to safely de-escalate it.
The figures have prompted Health and Wellbeing Minister Blair Boyer to announce a new roundtable bringing together healthcare workers, government representatives, emergency services, unions, community groups and consumers later this year.
“The number of Code Black incidents across our health system remains far too high, and we should explore every opportunity to improve safety for staff, patients and visitors,” Minister Boyer said.
“This roundtable will bring together people with frontline experience, policy expertise and lived experience to help identify practical actions that can make a real difference.”
The meeting will look at what is driving aggression and violence in healthcare settings, where there may be gaps in existing prevention and response measures, and what more can be done across government, hospitals and the wider community.
Its findings and recommendations are expected to help shape future measures aimed at improving safety for healthcare workers, patients and visitors.
SA Health Chief Executive Dr Robyn Lawrence said abuse should not be considered an unavoidable part of working in healthcare.
“Our health staff show compassion, professionalism and dedication every day, often in challenging circumstances,” Dr Lawrence said.
“They should never have to accept abuse as part of their job.”
Measures already being rolled out across metropolitan and regional hospitals include expanded CCTV coverage, improved access controls and duress alarm systems, security screens, additional external lighting and security fencing.
Metropolitan and larger regional hospitals also have 24-hour security, with security personnel responding to the majority of Code Black incidents without requiring South Australia Police.
Staff and security contractors receive training on responding to concerning behaviour, including situations involving alcohol and other drugs, dementia, mental illness and medical conditions that may require specialised responses.
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation SA Branch CEO Adjunct Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars said violence and aggression remained a significant issue for nurses, midwives and personal care workers.
“Meaningful change requires listening to frontline workers and working together to improve safety for staff, as well as patients and their families,” she said.
The union is expected to take part in the upcoming roundtable, having previously advocated for stronger protections through its 10-Point Plan to End Violence and Aggression in Healthcare Settings.
“There is no single solution to this challenge, which is why it is so important that government, health services, emergency services and the community work together,” Minister Boyer said.
“Every healthcare worker deserves to feel safe at work.”
