Home / Health / Patient Death Sparks Security Debate in Sask. Hospitals
Patient Death Sparks Security Debate in Sask. Hospitals
12 Jan
Summary
- A patient died after a physical altercation with hospital security.
- Opposition demands government address safety concerns for patients and staff.
- AI weapon detection pilot project to launch at Royal University Hospital.
The official Opposition is calling on the Saskatchewan government to urgently address escalating safety and security concerns within provincial hospitals, following the recent death of a patient at Royal University Hospital. The Saskatchewan Health Authority confirmed a physical altercation between the patient and Protective Services Officers led to the individual becoming unresponsive and later deceased.
NDP deputy leader Vicki Mowat emphasized that hospital safety is a critical issue for both staff and patients, who are reportedly avoiding emergency rooms due to perceived chaos. The Opposition is demanding Premier Scott Moe and Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill outline concrete steps to improve hospital security and patient well-being.
In response to rising incidents, including a recent event where contracted security guards were banned from SHA facilities after leaving a patient outside in the cold, and a November arrest involving weapons at St. Paul's Hospital, the SHA announced a pilot project using artificial intelligence to detect weapons at Royal University Hospital.
