Orana Mid-Western Police won't tolerate verbal abuse against our frontline healthcare workers.
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The message comes after Western NSW Health announced extra security would be brought into monitor vaccination clinics across the central west, as staff had been subjected to abuse and "unsavoury behaviour".
Several incidents at clinics across the central west had prompted Western NSW LHD Chief Executive Scott McLachlan to issue a plea with the community to treat staff with respect.
"It's been across quite a few locations with people turning up angry and aggressive, and both demanding vaccinations if they haven't got an appointment, or demanding things our staff just haven't been able to deliver," he said.
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"As a community, we really need to take stock of how we're treating each other."
Orana Mid-Western Police District Commander, Superintendent Daniel Sullivan said it was concerning to hear people had been abusive toward health care professionals trying to do their job.
Certainly vaccination is one of the key arms of defence that we have in this pandemic
- Superintendent Daniel Sullivan
"We tolerate no abuse, but when you look at abuse against our healthcare professionals, who are at the front line of this pandemic, our job as a community is to reach out and make sure they're safe and secure," he said.
"If there's those who can't do that then the NSW Police are here and we'll certainly bring them before the court and punish them will all aspects we can of law."
Superintendent Sullivan said police had contacted Western NSW Health and were working closely with them to ensure staff were protected, and that people in the community felt safe to get vaccinated.
"Certainly vaccination is one of the key arms of defence that we have in this pandemic," he said.
"I want to assure our local community our vaccination hubs are safe and secure locations, where they can do their part in combatting this horrible pandemic.
"We will be working closely with NSW Health in terms of the security of those sites and making sure everyone's experience in getting their vaccination is as seamless and safe as possible."