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A health chief has condemned the "torrent of abuse" experienced by staff involved in COVID testing. Northeast Health Wangaratta Acting Executive Director Fiona Shanks, based in the New South Wales-Victoria border region, told her community today that "the persistent and aggressive verbal abuse of those who use our service and make a reservation .. . they simply will not be tolerated. " "The key reason for this is that the staff told me how exhausting and harrowing the day had been," he told The Border Mail. we make". However, for a COVID screening clinic and call center to face a torrent of abuse from many, many callers because our lines have been invaded and they are unable to communicate on the first call ... in my opinion , it's just unacceptable and that behavior should be called. "Ms Shanks said the service has been in demand for two weeks, with the requirement that Victorians returning from the interstate be tested." There was a level. particular frustration on the part of the people who were traveling home ... who arrived at the border and tried to get their evidence out of the way, "he said. Not all are from the region, however, there are community members who have felt equally frustrated. "We do our best to manage the flow ... and we increase." But I will not tolerate inappropriate behavior towards our staff at all when they are working incredibly hard. "We are just p saying respect, kindness and patience. " READ MORE: Victorian health officials have repeatedly told returning Victorians not to face the first trial clinics they come across after crossing the border. Ms. Shanks expects demand to drop towards the end of the week. "I have given the staff permission to advise the caller if they cannot speak respectfully, that they should hang up, and when they have their emotions under control they can call back." It is different from a person presenting to the ER with an illness or complication that contributes to their ability to control their emotions. "People are frustrated with the processes they have to go through and a lot of people are doing the right thing ... but it has to be said." Albury Wodonga Health Director of Nursing Sally Squire said such behavior was unacceptable. "It is certainly something we are very vigilant about; the protection and safety of our staff is the priority at all times, and people who come to our service and are abusive to staff will not be tolerated," he said. Pressure has been felt in many front-line sectors; The head of the Australian Retailers Association, Paul Zahra, recently told The Border Mail about "increased customer aggression and abuse." Additionally, when asked about how regional companies were navigating the new restrictions in New South Wales, Greater Hume Mayor Heather Wilton raised inappropriate behavior. "There is a strange group of people who think that it is a lot of garbage and that sometimes they can become abusive," he said. "I find it quite disappointing." People on the other side of the counter or at the door are just trying to follow the rules and can be fined. "Some are taking details (rather than clients not having an app) and not even sure they are getting real information." There is enough distress that people in business can deal with it, without having to deal with this behavior. "
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A health chief has condemned the "torrent of abuse" experienced by staff involved in COVID testing.
Northeast Health Wangaratta Acting Executive Director Fiona Shanks, based in the New South Wales-Victoria border region, told her community today that "the persistent and aggressive verbal abuse of those who use our service and make a reservation .. . they simply will not be tolerated. "
"The key reason for this is that the staff told me how exhausting and harrowing the day had been," he said. Border mail.
"We face really difficult situations on a daily basis and we face a lot of aggression, it is part of the work that we do.
"Yet for a COVID screening clinic and call center to face a torrent of abuse from many, many people ringing because our lines have been invaded and unable to communicate on the first call ... on my opinion, it is simply unacceptable and that behavior should be reported. "
Ms. Shanks said the service has been in demand for two weeks, with the requirement that Victorians returning from the interstate be tested.
"There was a particular level of frustration on the part of people traveling home ... who came to the border and tried to get their evidence out of the way," he said.
"So not everyone is from the region, yet there are community members who have been equally frustrated.
"We do our best to manage the flow ... and we increase.
"But I will absolutely not tolerate inappropriate behavior towards our staff when they are working incredibly hard."
"We are just asking for respect, kindness and patience."
Victorian Health officials have repeatedly told returning Victorians not to face the first trial clinics they come across after crossing the border.
Ms. Shanks expects demand to drop towards the end of the week.
"I have given the staff permission to advise the caller if they cannot speak respectfully, that they should hang up, and when they have their emotions under control they can return the call.
"It is different from a person who presents to the emergency department with an illness or complication that contributes to their ability to control their emotions.
"People are frustrated with the processes they have to go through and a lot of people are doing the right thing ... but it has to be said."
Albury Wodonga Health Director of Nursing Sally Squire said such behavior was unacceptable.
"It is certainly something we are very vigilant about; the protection and safety of our staff is the priority at all times, and people who come to our service and are abusive to staff will not be tolerated," he said.
Pressure has been felt in many front-line sectors; Paul Zahra, Head of the Australian Retailers Association recently said Border mail of "increased aggression and abuse of customers."
Additionally, when asked about how regional companies were navigating the new restrictions in New South Wales, Greater Hume Mayor Heather Wilton raised inappropriate behavior.
"There is a strange group of people who think that it is a lot of garbage and that sometimes they can become abusive," he said.
"I find it quite disappointing.
"People on the other side of the counter or at the door are just trying to follow the rules and can be fined.
"Some are taking details (rather than clients not having an app) and they are not even sure they are getting real information.
"There is enough distress that business people can deal with it, without having to deal with this behavior."
