Healthcare Union Raises Alarm on Hospital Safety in Saskatchewan

Concerns over safety in Saskatchewan hospitals have escalated, with the President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 5430), Bashir Jalloh, highlighting systemic issues related to staffing and capacity. Recent incidents at Royal University Hospital and St. Paul’s Hospital have intensified calls for immediate action, reflecting a broader crisis that extends beyond major urban centers like Saskatoon and Regina.

The situation at Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert has drawn significant attention. Jalloh noted that staff members are facing harassment and theft while parking in front of the hospital, where a growing number of individuals experiencing homelessness and mental health challenges congregate. He remarked, “There’s a lot of theft from their vehicles, they are facing a lot of harassment when they are walking to their car.”

Recent reports have revealed that the waiting areas at hospitals are becoming increasingly stressful, with high numbers of vulnerable individuals contributing to anxiety among patients and staff. A particularly alarming incident last month involved a man who was removed from Victoria Hospital after causing a disturbance. Following his ejection, he was later found lying in the snow and required assistance from Mobile Crisis services.

Overcapacity is now a significant concern at Victoria Hospital, according to Jalloh. He explained that individuals seeking mental health support, who previously accessed community services, are now overwhelming emergency rooms. This shift has resulted in extended wait times for patients with non-urgent medical needs. “We’re going to see things like that more and more. It’s very unfortunate to say that but it’s just a fact,” he added.

While Jalloh acknowledged that the province’s new urgent care centers could alleviate some of the pressure, he pointed out that these facilities also face staffing challenges. He cited the example of a center in Regina that was closed over the Christmas period due to staffing shortages. “They can’t even run it consistently for two shifts,” he said.

The handling of security within hospitals has also come under scrutiny. Following the incident at Victoria Hospital, security personnel involved were terminated from their positions. Additionally, the tragic death of Trevor Dubois at Royal University Hospital reportedly followed an altercation with security officers, raising further concerns about the adequacy of safety protocols.

In response to these challenges, the union has proposed training security officers in-house rather than continuing to contract out this critical role. Jalloh believes that having staff familiar with hospital operations would improve response to incidents, stating, “Nothing gets done to prevent the issue from escalating.”

The Saskatchewan NDP has echoed these concerns, calling for an emergency safety plan to protect both patients and workers within the healthcare system. They reported that during ongoing consultations, frontline workers have identified safety as a pressing issue. “Patients have also reported avoiding emergency rooms due to chaos and fear for their own well-being,” the party stated in a recent press release.

On November 27, 2023, a serious incident at St. Paul’s Hospital involved a patient found in possession of a firearm and multiple knives, with a frontline worker threatened directly. This event prompted the NDP to demand concrete safety measures in the Legislature.

As the situation unfolds, the healthcare community in Saskatchewan remains on alert, advocating for urgent reforms to ensure the safety and well-being of both staff and patients in increasingly challenging environments.