WSCC visits Stanton
Nurses filed injury reports following violence late last month
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Published Friday, February 6, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Despite a tight-lipped communications manager, Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission staff have been spotted at Stanton Territorial Hospital following the latest violent patient outburst.
A Jan. 23 incident at Stanton, the second in recent months, saw a "kicking, scratching and thrashing" patient injure at least three hospital workers. The injuries were significant enough for some workers to take time off work.
Kim Walker, communications manager with the commission, would not confirm that her organization was investigating the incident.
"We are unable to provide information that is confidential under the Workers' Compensation Act or the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act," stated Walker in an e-mail.
But Sheila Laity, an emergency room nurse who represents unionized Stanton workers, said the commission has appeared on site.
"I've heard that they've come in," said Laity.
"I do know in speaking to members that they tell me commission people were there and were asking questions. I only had the brief encounter with one staff member who said yes, there was somebody from WSCC asking questions. But that's all I know."
She said members of her union have filed reports on their injuries with the commission since Jan. 23, but doesn't know if hospital administration did the same.
Damien Healy, Department of Health and Social Services spokesperson, also declined to comment on whether or not Stanton filed a report with the commission, citing confidentiality reasons.
Walker said the nature of a WSCC investigation depends on the details and seriousness of the events.
"An investigation could involve phone calls, an on-site inspection, taking witness statements and/or collecting information," stated Walker.
"Then, safety officers make recommendations as to what the next step in the process should be. This could include issuing orders, stop work orders or recommendations for charges."
If a safety officer recommends charges and the chief safety officer agrees with them, they refer the case to the Crown, which then determines if and how it will proceed.
The recent events follow a Nov. 20 incident when a patient went berserk in the emergency ward, smashing equipment and forcing staff to lock themselves in a room.
