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National gong for virtual reality training

24 Oct 2025 Innovation and technology
Western Health’s Occupational Violence and Aggression (OVA) team has been recognised with a National Safety Award for Excellence in the category of Best Solution for Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work.
Western Health and Viewport XR staff accept the award in Sydney.

Presented in Sydney last night, this national award celebrates our innovative Virtual Reality (VR) education program, which immerses staff in real-world to help them build confidence and strengthen their communication skills when managing aggression in the workplace.

The Reframe Your Response program, developed in collaboration with Viewport XR, equips staff with practical tools to prevent and de-escalate potentially violent situations—an essential part of creating a safer, more supportive work environment.

‘Our virtual reality education platform keeps our people safe. At the end of the day, there’s nothing more important,’ said Adjunct Professor Shane Crowe, Executive Director, Nursing and Midwifery.

Backed by research from Deakin University, the program has demonstrated significant improvements in staff knowledge, communication, and de-escalation techniques. A standout feature of the training is its use of lifelike human characters that express dynamic emotions, offering a far more immersive experience than traditional classroom learning.

‘This award is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration in creating safer workplaces... It reflects our unwavering focus on protecting the wellbeing of our staff and the communities we serve.’
Dr Elisa Ilarda

This initiative complements our award-winning Predict Prevent: Priority Safety Staff campaign, which has already led to a notable increase in proactive safety measures and a reduction in OVA incidents.

Congratulations to Dr Elisa Ilarda, Lisa Spong, Harriet Downing, the OVA Committee, Associate Professor Deb Kerr from Deakin University and our partners at Viewport XR for their innovation, dedication, and outstanding delivery. 

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