The B.C. Nurses Union (BCNU) wants the government to provide funding for 24-hour security for nurses and patients at all hospitals across the province.

BCNU President Christine Sorenson said their has been a positive response from the 琉璃神社 General Hospital and Coquitlam鈥檚 Forensics Psychiatric Hospital since they received high-quality security personnel.

READ MORE: Doctor assaulted at 琉璃神社 General Hospital

鈥淚ncreased security presence at worksites is needed in order to keep nurses and patients safe,鈥� said Sorsenson. 鈥淲e鈥檝e asked nurses and we鈥檝e looked at our survey data. The facts show that having security officers available who can respond quickly and effectively, drastically improves the culture of the worksite for both patients and nurses.鈥�

A rally at Jack Poole Plaza on Thursday, saw hundreds of nurses calling on the government to provide properly trained security officers at worksites across B.C.

READ MORE: 2 nurses attacked at B.C. psych hospital, union calls for in-unit security

Sorenson said injuries because of violence have consistently been increasing over the years. Between 2014 and 2018, health care facilities saw a 52 per cent increase of violence reports.

鈥淥n average, 26 nurses per month suffer a violent injury at work in BC,鈥� said Sorensen. 鈥淲e need to change this statistic and we will continue to demand that the model of adding properly trained security staff in a variety of health care facilities is implemented across BC.鈥�

READ MORE: Interior Health hires hospital 鈥榓mbassadors鈥� to beef up security

Safety precautions were put in place at 琉璃神社 General Hospital after a doctor was allegedly assaulted by a patient in the emergency department in early March, 2018.

laryn.gilmour@blackpress.ca
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