In recent weeks, paNOW has received complaints about the high number of the city’s homeless and people with mental health problems, who fill up the waiting room and cause anxiety for other patients and staff.
An incident last month that prompted a public response, involved a man who was removed from the hospital by security staff after allegedly causing a disruption. The man was later observed lying in the snow and was rescued by Mobile Crisis.
Jalloh stated overcapacity is a big problem at Victoria Hospital and people who used to go elsewhere in the community for mental health supports are now going straight to the emergency room. As a result, people who have gone to the hospital for other pressing needs are being forced to wait hours longer.
“We’re going to see things like that more and more. It’s very unfortunate to say that but it’s just a fact,” Jalloh said.
Jalloh confirmed the province’s new urgent care centers could take some pressure off but added they too face daily challenges with staffing. Citing Regina as an example, he said the facility was closed over Christmas for an extended period.
“They can’t even run it consistently for two shifts,” he said.
In the case involving the man at Victoria Hospital, the security officers who removed him from the facility were terminated from their positions. The recent death of Trevor Dubois at Royal University Hospital; reportedly occurred after an altercation with security officers.
Another solution proposed by the union is to train security officers in-house versus contracting them out. Jalloh feels it could be a real benefit having someone who was familiar with the day-to-day operations and protocols.
As opposed to the current situation where he said contracted employees are simply looking the other way and calling police.
“Nothing gets done to prevent the issue from escalating,” he said.
NDP continue call for emergency safety plan to support patients and workers at hospitals
Over the course of ongoing healthcare consultations across the province, the Saskatchewan NDP say frontline workers have identified safety as a major and emerging issue.
“Patients have also reported avoiding emergency rooms due to chaos and fear for their own well-being,” they said in a press release issued Monday.
On Sunday, a letter signed by more than 200 healthcare workers to the CEO of the Saskatchewan Health Authority was made public and calls for an immediate response and safety plan at St. Paul’s Hospital.
On Nov. 27, a patient at St Paul’s Hospital was found to be in possession of a firearm and three knives — a frontline worker was directly threatened with one of the knives. When the incident was raised in the Legislature, the Saskatchewan NDP demanded an emergency safety plan.
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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com
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