A nurse is currently recuperating from an assault that occurred at Vancouver General Hospital on March 13, marking another instance of violence against healthcare workers, as highlighted by the nurses’ union. Vancouver Coastal Health confirmed that a healthcare provider and a patient were both attacked on the premises that day, with the patient receiving treatment at the hospital while the nurse is now recovering at home.
The incident took place in the inpatient psychiatry unit at the hospital, according to Adriane Gear, president of the B.C. Nurses’ Union, who emphasized the need for increased security presence in that area. Gear described the attack as “horrific,” involving a new nurse who was strangled unconscious by a patient and had to be rescued by her colleagues.
Notably, the psychiatry inpatient units at VGH are located in a separate building, causing delays for security staff to respond from the emergency department, which Gear deemed unacceptable. She stressed the importance of addressing the safety concerns posed by patients with a history of violent behavior to protect both staff and other patients.
In recent months, there have been multiple incidents of attacks on nurses in healthcare settings, prompting Gear to advocate for more security officers to prevent further assaults and deter nurses from leaving the profession. These security officers are specially trained to anticipate and de-escalate violence in healthcare environments, as per provincial guidelines.
Gear cited past violent incidents, such as a stabbing at VGH and a case involving a machete-wielding individual threatening staff at Eagle Ridge Hospital in Port Moody, as indications of the urgent need for enhanced security measures. She questioned the necessity of a tragic event before substantial changes are implemented to safeguard healthcare workers adequately.
According to a Health Ministry spokesperson, there are currently around 750 full-time equivalent security guards deployed across 30 healthcare facilities, with plans to potentially expand security coverage to additional hospital sites. The Vancouver police have been informed of the March 13 attack, and an investigation is underway to apprehend the suspect.
WorkSafeBC, the provincial workplace regulator, has been notified of the incident at VGH and is set to provide an inspection report with further details in the coming week. The authorities are taking the necessary steps to address the security concerns and ensure the safety of healthcare workers in the face of escalating violence.
