Ballarat Health Services will share in $1.2 million state government funding to train staff in identifying signs of family violence and assisting patients who seek help, under the Strengthening Hospital Responses for Family Violence program.

Berry Street family violence and housing support manager Denise Sheridan said hospital staff were often a first point of contact for those experiencing family violence. Ms Sheridan said hospital staff needed the support and confidence to appropriately manage such cases.

“If it’s not handled sensitively the first time a person tries to reach out, they may never reach out again," Ms Sheridan said.

“Sometimes, a person may only present at a hospital for help and that needs to be a positive experience...it’s about building trust.”

BHS will concentrate its funding on supporting frontline maternity and emergency department workers

The program extends on a pilot program run in Bendigo Health and the Royal Women’s Hospital. Ballarat is among 14 Victorian health services to receive training in the second phase of the roll out.

Health services training is a response to a recommendation from the Royal Commission into Family Violence for a whole of hospital service model in public hospitals.

BHS chief executive officer Dale Fraser said it was an innovative program to best equip staff, who too frequently faced such sensitive cases, and in optimising assistance and support for patients experiencing family violence.

“No-one wants to be in a family violence situation but, if unfortunately they are, this training will help ensure a traumatic circumstance isn’t unnecessarily continued or prolonged by insensitive processes,” Mr Fraser said.

Staff will be trained to notice the signs, inquire sensitively, respond respectfully and provide a pathway to family violence support services, including those for elder abuse, sexual assault and rural communities.