The provincial government announced that metal detectors were deployed in Saskatchewan’s urban hospitals this week.

Metal detectors were installed in the emergency departments at Saskatoon City Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital as well as the Regina General Hospital and the Pasqua Hospital.

The metal detectors were implemented to protect both workers and patients following a pilot project at Royal University Hospital that saw the seizure of lots of weapons.

SHA CEO Andrew Will says that the safety of both staff and patients is priority number one.

“We know that behind every conversation behind hospital safety, there are real experiences and incidents involving threats, assaults, verbal altercations and situations where weapons enter health facilities. These events are deeply concerning, they are stressful for staff, unsettling for patients and families, and they have no place in health care.”

RUH, along with Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital were already equipped with metal detectors as part of the pilot project. Metal detectors will come to Prince Albert Victoria Hospital, Battlefords Union Hospital and Regina Urgent Care Centre.

The SHA has announced that 51 new Protective Services Officers would be hired to support the newly installed metal detectors.

Along with the announcement, the provincial government is launching an independent, third-party review of hospital safety and security at the request of the SHA.

Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill says the review comes following concerns raised by staff and patients as well as the increasing volume and complexity of Protective Services interventions.

“Unfortunately we are seeing increasing frequency and complexity of hospital safety challenges. While some steps are already underway to address these concerns, we see the need for a more comprehensive system-wide review. The Ministry of Health will lead work to select an independent expert capable of undertaking a review of hospital safety and security across the province, with work to be started as soon as possible on this.”

The review was also sparked by two incidents that recently occurred in Saskatchewan, one in Prince Albert where a patient was removed from Victoria Hospital and left outside, as well as an altercation at RUH that lead to the death of Trevor Dubois.

The findings and recommendations from the review will help to guide future policy, service delivery and system improvements to hospital safety and security across the province.