Manitoba Nurses Union Grey-lists Two Hospitals Over Safety Concerns

For the first time in its 45-year history, the Manitoba Nurses Union has grey-listed two hospitals simultaneously due to serious safety concerns. The Thompson General Hospital and Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg have been marked as unsafe working environments, signaling a critical alarm for healthcare standards in the province.

The grey-listing is a formal indication that nurses believe conditions at these facilities are hazardous. It serves as a warning to colleagues and potential employees about the deteriorating safety measures. The decision by nurses at Thompson General Hospital, where 97 percent voted in favor of grey-listing, stems from a concerning rise in violence, including a stabbing incident in the emergency waiting area last September.

In 2024 alone, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police responded to over 550 calls at the Thompson facility, highlighting a significant safety crisis. When frontline nurses express their fears regarding workplace safety, it reflects broader systemic issues, indicating that both staff and patients are at risk. The environment has become so precarious that the ability to provide adequate care is increasingly compromised.

The grey-listing does not mean that nurses will withdraw their services immediately. Instead, it aims to compel the hospital administration to take urgent action to improve conditions. However, with Thompson General Hospital already reliant on contract and agency staff, the implications of deteriorating working conditions could worsen recruitment challenges, threatening healthcare stability across the Northern Health Region.

The provincial government, led by Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara, has acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, indicating that institutional safety officers could be deployed to Thompson within weeks. While this is a positive development, the minister conceded that implementing effective safety measures will require time—something the hospital cannot afford as nurses and patients face immediate risks.

The urgency of the situation is underscored by the need for “secure and monitored access” by December 1, and the potential introduction of metal detectors at the hospital, which underscores the alarming state of safety.

Concerns about violence against healthcare workers are not limited to Thompson General Hospital. At the Brandon Regional Health Centre, incidents of aggression have also been reported. In March, a disruptive patient threatened staff, and in April, a nurse faced choking and stabbing threats from a patient. Despite the hiring of 16 new security personnel trained in crisis intervention techniques, safety challenges persist.

The Manitoba Nurses Union has been actively raising awareness of these issues. A survey conducted in July revealed that nearly half of the 1,500 union members reported a decline in workplace culture over the past year. As Darlene Jackson, president of the Manitoba Nurses Union, stated, the level of violence now faced by nurses was unimaginable a decade ago.

For any government serious about reforming Manitoba’s strained healthcare system, protecting nursing staff must be a priority. This requires more than just job postings; it necessitates sustained investment, improved staffing ratios, modernized infrastructure, and accountability for any failures in security measures. Furthermore, northern communities should have a greater voice in the management of their hospitals, alongside incentives for local staff recruitment and retention.

While the province’s recent commitments to address these issues are encouraging, transparency is critical. Manitobans deserve clear timelines on when security measures will be implemented and how improvements will be assessed.

The grey-listing of two hospitals serves as a significant warning. It is now imperative for the provincial government and healthcare officials to respond effectively to the urgent needs of both staff and patients.