B.C. nurses to pursue legal action against violent and aggressive patients
VANCOUVER – The head of the B.C. Nurses' Union says it will pursue legal action against patients who assault nurses.
Gayle Duteil says the BCNU has requested better security for nurses across the province, including more safety officers and alarm systems.
The union has also created a new policy that includes a range of supports for nurses who are physically or psychologically injured on the job.
The union says that may involve financial support for nurses waiting for compensation from WorkSafeBC.
Duteil says the union has waited too long for the government and health authorities to take action as nurses continue being hurt.
The union has repeatedly drawn attention to the issue of safety, most recently after a doctor was severely beaten by a patient at Penticton Regional Hospital.
LOCAL LINKS:
Nurse attacked at Hillside Centre
Another nurse allegedly attacked at Hillside Centre
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2 responses
I am not sure what you meant Katharina M. Gorga. It is not part of their job to be assaulted. They are there to help save your life and treat your injuries. People should be thankful there are those who choose this line of work. How many people do you think would seriously choose a profession where part of the job was to expect to be assaulted and even killed? Seriously? Yes it happens and patients need to be accounted for their actions. Proper protection for those who save lives is needed so that there is always someone to help you when you need it.
Nurses asked for years for more security, panic buttons and more cameras on the psych unit….NOTHING!!!!!!! One week after this doctor was attacked security cameras were installed. Shameful this event should of never happened