No records kept on assaults on B.C. health-care workers, despite daily incidents

Despite raised concerns surrounding the issue of violence against healthcare workers, there are no police or government records that keep track of assaults.

Despite several unions and advocacy groups repeatedly raising the issue of violence in health-care settings, CTV News has learned that no policing or government agencies keep track of assaults or criminal charges.

In trying to get statistics about the conviction rate for the rare charges laid against suspects who stand accused of assaulting health-care workers on the job, the Attorney General’s office said a freedom of information request was required.

However, that filing resulted in zero results because the JUSTIN criminal record-keeping system does not allow prosecutors to flag or categorize a case as relating to a medical professional.

“Even with the wealth of information that (JUSTIN) provides, it is unable to capture nuances in terms of offences, victims and accused, such as the scenario you are enquiring about,” wrote BC Prosecution Service communications counsel, Damienne Darby in an email.

When CTV News asked if there were any plans to update the system to identify cases where medical providers – who are typically in a vulnerable position assessing or treating patients – are assaulted, she said that “under our current fiscal pressures, this initiative, however worthwhile, is not something the BCPS could propose for prioritization.”

In an email statement, the health minister insisted that “ensuring hospitals are safe for staff and patients is a top priority of our government.” Josie Osborne went on to reveal that she has directed ministry staff to examine “feasibility of putting in place AI weapons detection technology at emergency rooms – something many hospitals across Canada are now starting to consider.”

Other solutions

In 2022 the province announced it would be replacing guards hired from private companies to provide security at hospitals struggling with patients angry about pandemic health measures or otherwise displaying aggression.

These “relational security officers” were slow to be hired and trained, and they opposition claims they aren’t certified to detain anyone who’s disruptive or threatens patients and staff.

“They are not actually licensed to deal with the type of violence and the weapons that are actually coming into hospitals,” explained Elenore Sturko, a former RCMP officer and current Conservative critic for public safety.

She’s urging the provincial government to consider emulating Alberta’s model of hospital safety after speaking with their public safety minister during a trip there over the weekend.

“Not every hospital, but in those high-risk hospitals, they actually employ peace officers,” Sturko said. “So they have the higher level of training, and they do have the ability to intervene in violent situations.”

She estimates the cost for B.C. to make that kind of change would cost each hospital another $1.5 million per year.

Osborne insists that with 781 relational security officers hired in the past three years, they already “have specialized training to prevent and respond to violent situations in hospitals, and are often required to use force, restrain and detain violent individuals as needed” and are licensed and trained to use handcuffs if de-escalation is unsuccessful.

Violence takes its toll

For years, frontline sources have expressed frustration to CTV News about the way administrators and law enforcement respond to assaults in the workplace. Doctors have found themselves in a position where they must physically restrain patients striking nurses, while it’s not unusual for paramedics to be groped while tending to patients.

Some walk away from the profession altogether, while others go on leave when the stress or trauma become too much.

The BC Nurses’ Union cites WorkSafeBC data that found 26 nurses a month were off the job due to violence in 2022, with that number soaring to 46 a month in 2023.

Like much of Canada, B.C.’s health-care system has been grappling with emergency department closures and other service interruptions in recent years and struggling to recruit new staff to replace those taking early retirement or choosing to walk away due to burnout or abuse.

Several tell CTV News retaining those experienced workers already on the job by making it safer would do more to keep them in the field, while sending a message to prospective recruits that their professions are both safe and sustainable.