'Unacceptable way to get response': Increase in violence happening to frontline health workers
The Brant Community Healthcare System is reporting an increase in verbal and physical violence directed at frontline healthcare staff.
“We are asking that they [staff] be treated first with respect and with civility and not have to come to work and worry about being treated violently,” said Dr. David McNeil, president and CEO of the Brant Community Healthcare System.
Dr. McNeil wants to remind visitors to Brantford General Hospital or the Willett Urgent Care Centre to treat staff with the respect and courtesy they deserve.
“I’m unhappy that I have to actually issue a notice like this to the public," he said.
He said more staff are being physically hurt, and it’s an issue that is getting worse.
“It's a contributing factor to people leaving the profession, and it sure is a contributing factor to the moral distress that we're seeing within our frontline providers,” Dr. McNeil said.
According to Dr. McNeil, staffing shortages caused by the pandemic are making wait times in emergency rooms longer than usual.
However, he said lashing out at healthcare workers is not going to speed up the process.
“It's an unacceptable way to get [a] response,” Dr. McNeil said.
Since the pandemic started, violence against healthcare workers in Ontario has increased by 50 per cent, according to the Ontario Nurses’ Association.
“It is in every single place. It’s not only in hospital, it’s in-home care, public healthcare. It’s everywhere,” Cathryn Hoy, president of the Ontario Nurses’ Association said.
Hoy said despite security and response systems in healthcare settings, nurses are facing violence daily. Some may not feel comfortable reporting it as well.
“They’re threatened, they’re grabbed by the throat, they’re choked, they’re punched, hit, spit, kicked, you name it,” Hoy said.
According to Hoy, some nurses can not return to work due to their injuries. She thinks extra security, like a metal detector, might be helpful for staff safety.
“You would be shocked at the weapons that come through the doors. We’ve had shootings in emergency departments. That’s ridiculous,” Hoy said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Explosions refocus Ukraine war on Russian-annexed Crimea
The world's attention on Russia's war in Ukraine on Tuesday turned anew to the Russia-annexed occupied Crimean Peninsula, where a mysterious ammunition storage fire and explosions injuring two people was the second incident in a week to shake Moscow's sensitivities.

Medical investigator rules Baldwin set shooting an accident
The fatal film-set shooting of a cinematographer by actor Alec Baldwin last year was an accident, according to a determination made by New Mexico's Office of the Medical Investigator following the completion of an autopsy and a review of law enforcement reports. The medical investigator's report was made public Monday by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office along with numerous reports from the FBI on the revolver and ammunition that were collected following the shooting.
Canadians favour metric system despite often using imperial measurements: poll
While many Canadians don’t support moving away from the metric system of measurement, many continue to use imperial measurements in their daily lives, according to a recent online poll.
'We've been abandoned': Man dies in B.C. town waiting for health care near ambulance station
For the second time in less than a month, a resident of Ashcroft, B.C., died while waiting for health care after having a heart attack mere metres from a local ambulance station.
Economists predict a 'mild recession,' but what would that look like in Canada?
With inflation on the rise and central banks poised to increase rates, CTVNews.ca speaks with experts on whether Canada will experience a recession, and if so, what it would look like.
Minister asks Canadians not to fake travel plans to skip passport application lines
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development of Canada Karina Gould is discouraging people from making fake travel plans just to skip the line of those waiting for passports.
'I have to fight for myself': Quadriplegic man says N.S. government told him to live in a hospital
A diving accident at 14-years-old left Brian Parker paralyzed from the chest down. Now at age 49, he's without the person who was caring for him full-time until just last week, after his 68-year-old mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Bryce Dallas Howard says she was paid less than Chris Pratt for 'Jurassic World' films
Actress Bryce Dallas Howard said she was paid 'so much less' than her co-star Chris Pratt for their work in the 'Jurassic World' films.
'This is our land': Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs, pipeline opponents rally in Vancouver
Opponents of the Coastal GasLink pipeline currently under construction in Northern B.C took to the streets of Vancouver Monday, briefly blocking north-bound traffic on the Cambie Street Bridge.