Saskatchewan launches independent review of hospital safety amid rising security concerns

The Sask. government says it’s launching an independent review of hospital safety as concerns grow over violence and weapons entering emergency rooms.

The Saskatchewan government says it’s launching an independent review of hospital safety and security as concerns grow over violence and weapons entering emergency rooms.

The Ministry of Health says it will lead the search for a third-party expert to assess current security practices across Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) facilities and make recommend improvements.

“The safety enhancements underway starting this week at several facilities will help ensure that goal is met so that we can put patients first. The independent review will give us an assessment of security currently in place at facilities and help identify improvements to support safer environments where people are providing and receiving care,” Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said on Thursday.

According to the ministry, the review will look at Protective Services operations, training, tools, physical security measures and partnerships with Indigenous and community organizations.

The ministry says immediate actions are already underway, which include metal detectors at emergency rooms in Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert and North Battleford.

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Metal detectors were installed earlier this week at emergency entrances at St. Paul’s Hospital and Saskatoon City Hospital, and at Regina General Hospital and the Pasqua Hospital.

The SHA says more detectors are expected to be deployed in February at Prince Albert Victoria Hospital, Battlefords Union Hospital and the Regina Urgent Care Centre.

According to SHA, the technology is currently in use at the joint emergency department entrance at Royal University Hospital (RUH) and Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital (JPCH) in Saskatoon.

“Hospitals should be safe places for our patients, visitors, and the health-care teams who provide care every day,” said Andrew Will, CEO of the Saskatchewan Health Authority. “Safety is a core value of the SHA, and we are committed to strengthening hospital safety and security in response to the increasing complexity and volume of situations requiring intervention by Protective Services. The expansion of metal detection technology is an important step to support safer care environments and prevent weapons from entering emergency departments.”

The NDP however, says the government is acting too slowly.

The party raises concerns about workplace safety, pointing to weapons seized at Royal University Hospital and a recent incident at St. Paul’s Hospital in which a patient was found with a firearm and knives.

“There is chaos everywhere you look in healthcare. The Sask. Party is late to the game, they are failing on worker safety, and the only solution they have brought to the table is privatization, where only wealthy people can get the healthcare, they need,” the party said in a news release.