Violence reported at Victoria Hospital psych ward

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This article was published 21/02/2024 (564 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ANECDOTAL reports about escalating violence in the psychiatric ward at Victoria Hospital have prompted the nurses union to ask for additional security.

“A pregnant nurse was kicked during one of these episodes. When they do have an episode and they call a ‘code white’ and security guards do show up, security guards have been punched and kicked and bit and spat on,” said Darlene Jackson, president of the Manitoba Nurses’ Union.

She said a nurse emailed the union about recent incidents involving violent patients in the psych ward. In once instance, a nurse was choked. The nurse reported that one staff member had suffered a concussion and various staff members had received back injuries.

The union wants the hospital to place security guards in the psych unit, re-evaluate how patients are managed there and ensure staff and other patients have a safe place to go if a patient lashes out.

Jackson said although she couldn’t provide statistics, reports about violence in the psychiatric unit have been increasing for the past year.

The union leader said she used to receive comprehensive reports from the employer any time a nurse reported being assaulted or injured, but she said those reports are no longer provided because the employer considers them a breach of provincial laws that protect personal health information.

“This actually came out of an email from a nurse who said: I’m writing to you on behalf of our unit, because we are not safe at our job, these are the things that are happening,” Jackson said.

When the union asked the nurse for details, they learned about specific injuries, she said.

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority said all violent incidents are tracked, but it wouldn’t release details.

In a statement, the WRHA said measures have been implemented to boost safety in the psych ward.

“Some of those changes include: recently increasing security on site by adding an extra security guard, changing all doors onto/off mental health units to swipe-access only, and providing visitors with lockable lockers outside units to place jackets, bags, and purses (these items will not be allowed on the inpatient units).”

The statement said Vic staff are given personal alarms and there are plans for safety officers to be stationed at the hospital.

The nurse’s report came in to the union after it filed a grievance over safety concerns at HSC. In that case, an arbitration hearing is ongoing. It has prompted other union members to speak up about feeling unsafe at work.

Filing a grievance about a lack of security amid violent incidents at the Vic “is not out of the realm of possibility,” Jackson said Tuesday.

“There are definitely concerns at Victoria Hospital. There are also concerns in all of our psych units in this province with an increase in violence. This came as a cry for help from the psych nurses at the Vic and they definitely have issues there, but we are seeing a growing trend in our health-care system of violence against staff. We are attempting to deal with this with employers and say it’s not appropriate. Violence is not part of our job,” Jackson said.

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca