Winnipeg ER doctor assaulted, patient charged: police

An on-duty doctor was assaulted by a patient at the Health Sciences Centre Sunday morning.

A woman is facing charges after a doctor in Manitoba’s largest hospital was attacked on the job.

Winnipeg police said a doctor at Health Sciences Centre (HSC) was assaulted Sunday shortly before 11 a.m.

Police allege the doctor was assaulted by a patient.

A woman in her 30s was taken into custody and charged with assault with a weapon.

“Shared Health extends its support to the physician who experienced Sunday’s traumatic event and is working with them to provide the support they need,” a Shared Health spokesperson said in an email to CTV News.

“Any form of assault is unacceptable in a place of work and has a significant impact on all staff.”

HSC security staff, North District General Patrol officers, and officers assigned to a new patrol unit at HSC were called to assist during the incident.

Winnipeg police were unable to share what injuries those involved sustained.

Shared Health said the incident served as a reminder of the challenges healthcare workers face daily.

“They also reinforce the importance of our ongoing work to strengthen safety measures and ensure a secure environment for everyone at HSC.”

Arrest made after one day on the job

Winnipeg police said some of the officers called to respond to Sunday’s incident were part of a brand-new patrol unit at the hospital.

The patrol of two uniformed officers started Saturday.

It comes after the province announced in September it would be creating a 24/7 patrol unit consisting of two uniformed officers to HSC.

Second ER assault in one week

Sunday’s incident comes exactly one week after a nurse and unit assistant in HSC were assaulted on the job Oct. 26.

Winnipeg police alleged a patient receiving mental health care attacked the staff.

The staff members were not seriously physically hurt.

At the time, the police service told CTV News in an email it was made aware of the incident and “are working to obtain the totality of the circumstances that occurred.”