This month, the ORB Software team had the pleasure of exhibiting at the RACGP Practice Owners Conference at the International Convention Centre in Sydney. With hundreds of GPs, Practice Managers, Practice Owners, and healthcare professionals in attendance, it was a fantastic opportunity to connect directly with the people who work tirelessly to keep Australian general practices running smoothly.
The conference provided us with the chance to demonstrate EXHAIL, discuss staff safety in healthcare environments, and most importantly, listen. One of the most valuable aspects of the event was hearing firsthand experiences from people working in clinics every day. Their insights, challenges, and stories reinforced why staff safety remains such an important conversation across the healthcare industry.
This year, we were also delighted to share our booth with one of our partners at Medical IT. Their team brought incredible energy to the event and showcased the important role that reliable IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, hardware, and support services play in modern healthcare practices.
Together, we created a welcoming and engaging space for attendees. Whether visitors stopped by to discuss technology, learn more about EXHAIL, enjoy a round of mini-golf, guess the number of jelly beans in the jar, or simply grab a mint or lolly while taking a break from the conference, it was wonderful to meet so many people throughout the two days.
After speaking with hundreds of attendees, a few conversations stood out and highlighted some common themes around staff safety and emergency response.
“That’s Okay… We Already Have a Panic Button”
One of the most common responses we hear when introducing EXHAIL is: “We already have a panic button.”
And that’s great. Every practice should have emergency procedures and systems in place to help staff when they need assistance.
However, through our conversations with clinics across Australia, we’ve learned that not every situation is suited to a traditional panic button. Sometimes reaching for a physical alarm may be difficult, impractical, or could potentially escalate a tense situation.
Many clinics told us they rely on a combination of:
• Traditional panic buttons
• Telephone systems with emergency or intercom functions
• Verbal calls for assistance from nearby staff
Each of these options has value, but each also has limitations.
This is where EXHAIL is designed to complement existing safety systems rather than replace them. When a staff member is already working at their computer, a simple double-click can discreetly notify colleagues that assistance is needed.
The key message we shared throughout the conference was simple: staff safety should never rely on a single solution. Multiple layers of protection help create a safer environment for everyone.
“You Can’t Put a Price on Staff Safety”
Some of the most meaningful conversations we had were with people who immediately understood the importance of having additional ways to seek assistance.
Many attendees shared personal experiences involving aggressive, hostile, or highly stressful situations within their clinics. While every practice hopes these incidents never occur, most healthcare professionals understand how quickly a routine consultation can become challenging.
It’s no coincidence that so many clinics display signs stating: “We do not tolerate verbal or abusive behaviour towards our staff.”
Those signs exist because healthcare workers regularly face difficult situations.
When discussing EXHAIL, we try not to focus on worst-case scenarios. Instead, we focus on preparedness and providing staff with confidence that support is readily available if needed.
Many attendees were surprised to learn how affordable EXHAIL can be, particularly when combined with our free installation and setup assistance. But beyond the financial cost, there is another consideration: the wellbeing, confidence, and peace of mind of your team.
Investing in staff safety is about more than technology. It’s about supporting the people who care for patients every day.
“Our Panic Buttons Are Just Collecting Dust”
This was another comment we heard multiple times throughout the conference. In many ways, that’s a positive thing. Nobody wants staff regularly needing to activate emergency systems.
However, it also raises an important question: Do staff know exactly what happens when they need help?
Many people told us they were unsure how their panic button system worked, whether it had been tested recently, or who would actually respond if it was activated.
Emergency procedures shouldn’t be something we only think about after an incident occurs. Just as practices have evacuation plans, fire procedures, and emergency response protocols, staff should understand how assistance can be requested and delivered when required.
When we speak about EXHAIL, we often say: “We genuinely hope you never need to use it.”
But having additional options available can help staff feel more confident and supported in their workplace.
The Conversations That Mattered Most
While demonstrating EXHAIL was a major part of the conference, the conversations themselves were what made the event truly memorable.
We met practice owners looking for ways to better support their teams. We spoke with practice managers reviewing their current safety procedures. We listened to healthcare professionals who generously shared their experiences, concerns, and ideas.
Every clinic is different. Every team faces unique challenges. Yet one message remained consistent throughout the conference: creating a safe and supportive environment for staff matters.
We would like to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to visit our booth, ask questions, share their stories, and provide feedback. Your experiences help us continue improving EXHAIL and better understand the realities faced by healthcare professionals every day.
A special thank you also goes to the team at Medical IT for being fantastic partners throughout the event and helping create such an engaging and welcoming experience for attendees.
We left Sydney feeling incredibly grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many passionate healthcare professionals and look forward to continuing these conversations in the months ahead.
Interested in learning more about EXHAIL?
If you didn’t get a chance to visit us at the RACGP Practice Owners Conference, we’d be happy to provide a personalised demonstration and discuss how EXHAIL can complement your existing safety procedures.
Contact the ORB Software team to arrange an obligation-free demonstration and learn how EXHAIL can help create a safer and more confident workplace for your staff.
Mark Libman
Sales and Marketing Manager
ORB Software Development
