A recent violent attack on a health-care worker at an Edmonton psychiatric hospital has underscored the urgent need for enhanced support and protection for frontline professionals facing workplace violence.
The incident took place on Christmas Day at Alberta Hospital Edmonton, a 300-bed facility specializing in addiction and mental health care. Following the assault, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees condemned the attack, labeling it as a severe workplace violence incident that resulted in injuries to a crucial health-care worker and left facility staff deeply affected.
Limited information is available regarding the specific location of the assault and the identities of the two patients allegedly involved. Police responded to the incident just before 2 a.m. on December 25, resulting in the arrest of two male suspects. The injured worker, who sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries, has been discharged from the hospital.
Recovery Alberta, the facility’s operator, promptly activated emergency protocols and emphasized their commitment to prioritizing the safety of staff and patients. While expressing disappointment in Recovery Alberta’s handling of the incident, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees stressed the importance of proper reporting procedures for such serious incidents to ensure timely support for affected members.
The assault occurred amid the ongoing transition of the facility’s management from Alberta Health Services to Recovery Alberta. The agency refrained from providing further comments to allow for a thorough investigation and to respect the privacy of the injured worker.
Health-care unions have been vocal about the prevalence of workplace violence within the sector, with instances of physical, psychological, and verbal abuse being all too common. The recent incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for improved measures to address and prevent such acts of violence in health-care settings.
As investigations by law enforcement and internal reviews are ongoing, stakeholders are hopeful that the findings will lead to enhanced safety protocols and support systems for health-care workers facing occupational hazards like workplace violence.