‘Extremely concerning’: Doctors Manitoba worried about HSC safety

Doctors Manitoba says a new survey of its members found the number of incidents at Health Sciences Centre is nearly double the provincial average.

The organization representing doctors in the province is sounding the alarm about safety at Winnipeg’s largest hospital.

Doctors Manitoba recently released results from a survey of people working in hospitals on Wednesday. The survey found 44 per cent of physical safety incidents among physicians in the past year took place at Health Sciences Centre.

“What we heard over the last few weeks has been extremely concerning and reflects the apparent increase in incidents occurring in and around the hospital,” the report reads.

The data came from the organization’s annual physician survey in February. Doctors Manitoba said by comparison, 10 per cent of all reported incidents took place at St. Boniface Hospital, which is the second largest hospital in Manitoba.

Incidents reported included workers being “punched, kicked and spat on,” “approached, chased, and even assaulted,” along with verbal abuse. The incidents have happened not only in the hospital, but outside and in parking lots as doctors enter.

Doctors Manitoba is calling for an expanded approach to safety, including identifying safety and security gaps in the building and surrounding area. They also are calling for an expanded visible 24/7 security.

The report comes after several incidents, including multiple sexual assaults, have been reported at HSC this summer. The Manitoba Nurses’ Union recently voted to “grey list” the Health Sciences Centre, advising its members not to take shifts at the hospital due to safety concerns.

A spokesperson for Shared Health told CTV News they take safety concerns at the hospital seriously.

“Over the past two years we have taken steps based on recommendations we heard from the unions and directly from frontline workers,” the spokesperson said. “These recommendations have led to physical improvements to the site, including additional lights, cameras, stationed security, rapid roll up doors, secure staff entry cards, AI weapons scanners, and reducing the number of unsecured public entrances.”

Shared Health added that regular meetings are taking place to address staff safety at HSC.