In an effort to mitigate the problem of violence within British Columbia’s healthcare settings, hundreds of protection officers will be sent to healthcare facilities across the province..The province said this week at least 320 in-house protection services officers and 14 violence prevention leads will be hired to work at 26 healthcare facilities to create a safer environment for staff and patients..The officers — who will receive training in workplace violence prevention and "trauma informed" mental health practices — are expected to maintain acute awareness of the environment and anticipate violence, de-escalate, and ultimately “prevent aggression.”."Nurses are exposed to real violence in the workplace. Our members get punched, kicked, grabbed, spat on, as well as being verbally and sexually harassed,” said Aman Grewal, president of the BC Nurses' Union, further noting injury rates are under-reported and possibly higher than those affecting first responders..For example in 2019, a nurse working at Abbotsford Regional Hospital suffered a broken jaw and fractured cheekbone after a man hit her in the face with a dumbbell. In 2021 another nurse was assaulted in the same ward, requiring emergency room assessment..“As minister of Labour, my top priority is the safety of workers, including those who are working tirelessly in our healthcare sector,” said Harry Bains Monday..“Integrating this new security model into our healthcare facilities will help protect healthcare workers from violence — be it physical, emotional or verbal — and allow them to complete their shifts safely.”.A timeline has not been provided as to when the officers will be hired and no applications are listed on the province's job search..The agreement for a new agency involved the participation of all heath sector bargaining associations, and Health Minister Adrian Dix says he hopes the move creates “welcoming workplaces” for the province’s healthcare staff..In April Dix said the province was set to spend millions advertising BC as a “desirable destination” for foreign trained healthcare workers..READ MORE: BC to attract foreign nurses, will not allow unvaccinated to return to work
In an effort to mitigate the problem of violence within British Columbia’s healthcare settings, hundreds of protection officers will be sent to healthcare facilities across the province..The province said this week at least 320 in-house protection services officers and 14 violence prevention leads will be hired to work at 26 healthcare facilities to create a safer environment for staff and patients..The officers — who will receive training in workplace violence prevention and "trauma informed" mental health practices — are expected to maintain acute awareness of the environment and anticipate violence, de-escalate, and ultimately “prevent aggression.”."Nurses are exposed to real violence in the workplace. Our members get punched, kicked, grabbed, spat on, as well as being verbally and sexually harassed,” said Aman Grewal, president of the BC Nurses' Union, further noting injury rates are under-reported and possibly higher than those affecting first responders..For example in 2019, a nurse working at Abbotsford Regional Hospital suffered a broken jaw and fractured cheekbone after a man hit her in the face with a dumbbell. In 2021 another nurse was assaulted in the same ward, requiring emergency room assessment..“As minister of Labour, my top priority is the safety of workers, including those who are working tirelessly in our healthcare sector,” said Harry Bains Monday..“Integrating this new security model into our healthcare facilities will help protect healthcare workers from violence — be it physical, emotional or verbal — and allow them to complete their shifts safely.”.A timeline has not been provided as to when the officers will be hired and no applications are listed on the province's job search..The agreement for a new agency involved the participation of all heath sector bargaining associations, and Health Minister Adrian Dix says he hopes the move creates “welcoming workplaces” for the province’s healthcare staff..In April Dix said the province was set to spend millions advertising BC as a “desirable destination” for foreign trained healthcare workers..READ MORE: BC to attract foreign nurses, will not allow unvaccinated to return to work
