While the Province is taking steps to build safer workplaces for health-care workers and patients with a new security model across all health authorities – none of these steps will be taken in Dawson Creek, or the north Peace region.
The province announced the hiring of 320 protection services employees and expanding funding to SWITCH BC, a new organization focused on addressing workplace safety – however only Mills Memorial Hospital, Prince Rupert Regional Hospital, and the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia will see any of the new workers.
South Peace MLA Mike Bernier noted just three locations in northern BC may not cut it.
"Well I will take that as although people are frustrated, people are being respectful up here," he said to the Mirror Thursday.
"It’s a sad situation if we need to have security in our hospitals to protect our health workers whose jobs are to help us. I encourage everyone to respect the work they are doing as we continue to fight for a better health care system."
Mental health calls taking up their time has been a longstanding concern with the Dawson Creek RCMP.
“These are matters that are not necessarily crimes, but we are called.“ said RCMP Staff Sgt. Damon Werrell to the Mirror previously.
"Matters like mental health, public nuisance calls, addictions, need the addressing of problems and not just arresting,“ he says.
“These actions will help ensure all health-care employees have safe and healthy workplaces, and that the patients who count on them are accessing care in a safe environment. Ensuring our health-care facilities are free of violence will not only help us recruit and retain health-care workers, but it will also improve patient care and continuity,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health in a statement.
The Province is providing health authorities with funding to establish a relational security model in 26 health-care settings and hire staff to support it. About 320 in-house protection services officers and 14 violence prevention leads will be hired and will help create a safer environment for staff and patients.
“As Minister of Labour, my top priority is the safety of workers, including those who are working tirelessly in our health-care sector,” said Harry Bains, Minister of Labour.
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