The interim president and CEO of Nova Scotia Health was horrified after a stabbing at the QEII in Halifax, that left at least one person seriously injured.
Karen Oldfield tells our newsroom it was very traumatic, really scary, and now she is doing everything in her power to make staff feel safe at work.
“One of the things we did as soon as the incident was under control was to bring in counselling for staff which was available on a one-on-one basis or a phone basis or however people wanted to do it.”
It was Wednesday afternoon when a man who was receiving care, stabbed two people in the emergency department at the Halifax Infirmary and injured two others by throwing objects at them.
The 32-year-old man is now facing nine charges, including attempted murder.
At least two of those injured, were staff and members of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU).
Presidents of the NSGEU, Sandra Mullens, told us they have been expressing concerns regarding security for years.
Beef up security
Tens of millions of dollars have been spent on security over the past couple of years in hospitals.
Oldfield says, this includes a contract with a third-party firm to provide personnel across the province, but there is still a void in some communities.
After the stabbing on Wednesday, Oldfield tells us, they not only have an increased police presence at the Infirmary ER, but they are also looking into metal detectors with security already training with a type of hand-held wand.
“The last thing I would want to do is have a line up at a metal detector when someone is trying desperately to seek medical care. So, we have to pick the right thing.”
In addition to that, there are five different investigations underway that involve not only their security firm but also, police.
“Which we will then take and enact as quickly as possible any recommendation that makes a whole lot of sense.”
‘Can never let your foot off the gas’
When it comes to safety, Oldfield says, it is always ”top of mind”, “continuous” and ”you can never let your foot off the gas”.
She tells us when she heard about the incident, Wednesday, her heart just sank, checked in with staff immediately and paid an in-person visit later that day.
“Just kind of talk to people, to understand, you know…how they were feeling and to express my own …like, if I could have done anything in that moment in time, I would like to think I would have. But these things happen so fast. My heart goes out to them, it really does.”
