Northern Health recently welcomed 42 PAMOVA Training Leads to the Northern Centre for Health Education and Research (NCHER) for a dedicated Study Day, bringing together nursing staff from across acute and subacute services to strengthen capability in managing occupational violence and aggression (OVA).

The day focused on empowering staff to feel confident in their roles as Training Leads, equipping them with the skills to become leaders in predicting, preventing, and managing OVA across the organisation.

Opening the event, Adjunct Associate Professor Lisa Cox highlighted the significance of the PAMOVA program and the vital role Training Leads play in shaping a safer healthcare environment. Her address reinforced how this work directly supports both staff wellbeing and patient care, setting an inspiring tone for the day.

Participants engaged in a comprehensive and interactive program designed to build both practical skills and personal resilience. Sessions included wellbeing and psychological safety, presentation skills, sensory modulation, and emergency management responses such as Code Grey and Code Black.

The day also placed strong emphasis on communication and de-escalation techniques, alongside occupational health and safety updates—ensuring staff are equipped not just to respond to incidents, but to prevent them wherever possible.

A key highlight was the focus on psychological safety and staff wellbeing, recognising the emotional impact of exposure to aggression and the importance of supporting one another in high-pressure environments.

Throughout the sessions, participants were encouraged to reflect, collaborate, and build confidence, developing skills they can take back to their teams and embed in everyday practice.

By the end of the day, Training Leads left not only with enhanced knowledge, but with a renewed sense of purpose in their role, supporting safer environments for both patients and staff across Northern Health.