Yellowknife (Apr 18/03) - Stanton Territorial Hospital is increasing security after a man swung a board at a staff member and attempted to smash a Plexiglas window.

No one was hit or injured in the incident and the window in the emergency ward did not break.

Director of patient services Sharon Cook said the March 29 incident left staff shaken.

"Thank goodness nobody was hurt," she said, "including this gentleman."

According to Cook, the man was not intoxicated.

He showed up in the afternoon, demanding to see a doctor. He became verbally abusive, kicking a stool around.

The man left and staff called police. While a staff member was talking to RCMP, the man returned -- armed with a piece of two-by-two.

RCMP arrived shortly and took the man away. Sgt. Al McCambridge said no charges have been laid.

Cook said the hospital is talking with RCMP about the possibility of laying charges.

The hospital began beefing up security earlier this year. A security guard now sits in the emergency department overnight and records who comes and goes.

Beginning soon, the hospital's front entrance will be locked immediately after visiting hours end at 8 p.m. Management is talking with staff about how to inform the public. When the front door is locked, the public will enter the hospital through the emergency ward entrance. The emergency entrance will be locked and a guard will control who enters and exits.