Increase reported in verbal and physical violence against health workers

A recent increase in verbal and physical violence against frontline health-care workers has prompted a public appeal by the president and CEO of the Brant Community Healthcare System.

“We have zero tolerance for violence against anyone, including our health-care staff who have been working tirelessly to care for the community through these challenging times,” David McNeil said in a statement released Friday. “I understand many people in our communities are struggling for many different and justifiable reasons.

“But violence will not be tolerated in our hospitals.”

Staff at Brantford General Hospital and the Willett in Paris deserve to be treated with respect, he said.

The healthcare system has had 17 incidents of workplace violence reported by staff and physicians in the past month. That compares to 136 reported incidents from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, a BCHS spokesperson said.

“These reports include incidents of physical violence and verbal harassment,” the spokesperson said. “Additionally, we know that incidents of verbal harassment are under reported by health-care staff.

“We are hearing the narrative from our frontline workers and seeing the data that the severity and incidents of violence has increased.”

Local health-care workers are not alone. Doctors and nurses across Canada are reporting concerns for their safety.

The federal government took some steps towards tackling the issue in late 2021, when it passed a new law to single out health-care workers for special protection from intimidation and threats at work.

McNeil said that ensuring the highest level of safety for everyone who enters health-care system facilities is a top priority. In keeping with that commitment, the mandatory masking requirement remains in place at BGH and the Willett, he added.

Meanwhile, the BGH emergency department is busy, with longer than normal wait times, McNeil said.

He said options for non-emergency care include calling your family physician, speaking to your pharmacist or visiting a walk-in clinic.

Those in need of non-emergency care can also call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 for access to a registered nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“I'm so proud of our teams here at BCHS and I would like to thank all of our dedicated staff, physicians, and volunteers for their incredible efforts to provide exceptional care,” said McNeil.