An incident of violence against a healthcare worker at an Edmonton psychiatric hospital has emphasized the urgent need for enhanced support and protection for frontline workers exposed to workplace violence, according to union officials.
The assault took place on Christmas Day at Alberta Hospital Edmonton, a 300-bed facility specializing in addiction and mental health care managed by Recovery Alberta. The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees described the attack as a severe workplace assault that resulted in injuries to a healthcare worker and caused trauma among the facility staff.
Limited information is available regarding the exact location of the assault and the identities of the two patients allegedly involved in the incident. Police were called to the hospital just before 2 a.m. on December 25, where they found a man with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Two male suspects were arrested, and charges are pending.
Recovery Alberta confirmed that a staff member was seriously injured during the altercation with the patients, prompting the immediate activation of emergency protocols. The agency emphasized its commitment to prioritizing the safety of both staff and patients, stating that incidents of this nature are rare but treated with utmost seriousness.
The facility, previously under Alberta Health Services management, is now operated by Recovery Alberta as part of Alberta’s healthcare system restructuring. The agency refrained from providing further comments to allow for a thorough investigation and respect the privacy of the injured worker.
Meanwhile, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees criticized Recovery Alberta for its handling of the assault, alleging a failure to promptly report the incident as required. The union stressed the importance of proper reporting and access to support for workers facing occupational health and safety challenges, including workplace violence.
United Nurses of Alberta, Local 183 President Michael Perry expressed shock over the incident and called for improved support for affected workers. He highlighted the prevalent issue of workplace violence in healthcare settings, exacerbated by the strain on the system during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Perry emphasized the necessity of timely reporting, mental health support, and prevention measures to address the concerning trend of violence in healthcare workplaces. He awaits the results of the investigation by provincial workplace safety officials and hopes for clarity and recommendations to prevent similar attacks in the future.