South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater, NS. Photo: Evan Taylor
Bridgewater’s hospital was placed on lockdown today, however little detail was given as to why.
South Shore Regional Hospital entered lockdown shortly before 2 pm, limiting access to who could enter and leave the building.
A receptionist at the hospital was able to confirm the lockdown, though they could not share any details as to why it was initiated.
Nova Scotia Health communications advisor Brendan Elliott also confirmed the hospital entered lockdown, and said it had been lifted shortly after.
“I can’t get into specific reasons for the lockdown other than to say it’s a measure taken to protect the safety of patients, visitors, and staff,” he said.
“It does not mean patients will not be seen or allowed in, but access is controlled.”
A witness inside the SSRH at the time said a few staff were talking about a stabbing victim who had arrived when the lockdown initiated.
They said at the time of the announcement, many patients and nurses were left confused, with some grabbing their phones to look for any information on the situation.
We reached out to the hospital to confirm the details and reason for the lockdown, however no response was given.
Lockdown procedures can happen for a number of reasons, including the arrival of a victim of a crime, said Elliott.
“Speaking generally, lockdowns may be instituted if a victim of a crime is in the hospital and there’s a concern that outside forces could infiltrate the hospital, making it potentially unsafe for patients, visitors, or staff,” he said.
Danny MacPhee, deputy chief of Bridgewater Police Service confirmed they responded to the hospital after they informed them of the situation.
He said they found a male who was injured when they arrived, however the male did not provide a statement to police on what had happened.
“That matter is still under investigation at that point,” said MacPhee.
“They are not providing information at this point that can really further what we are doing.”
MacPhee said hospitals will inform police of lockdowns if they feel its needed or if victims display serious injuries.
“There is a policy, and they have a duty to report for some serious injuries,” he said.
“Typically, I believe its only if somebody has a firearms wound, I don’t believe knife wounds are part of that. If its a safety concern for hospital staff, they would obviously let us know they were entering lockdown.”
