“I understand many people in society are struggling right now for many different and justifiable reasons – but violence is never the answer,” says Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, the President and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), following a pair of assaults of two nurses.
In an online post, which can be viewed below, Crocker Ellacott indicated that the individuals were apprehended by the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS).
Police report that a 15-year-old girl faces a charge of Assault Causing Bodily Harm and Mischief Under $5,000.
In a separate incident, the health care worker was not injured and did not wish to have the patient charged.
Crocker Ellacott said the incidents were not isolated.
“Like other hospitals across Ontario have reported, the amount of physical and verbal abuse health care workers have been experiencing during the (COVID-19) pandemic is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in any way whatsoever,” she said. “If you are coming to the hospital or if you are dropping someone off – please reinforce that our staff are here to help – and to treat them with the respect and courtesy they have earned.”
Crocker Ellacott plans to discuss an increased presence with TBPS and for the time being, has instructed that on-site security be increased immediately for the protection of staff and patients.
This past weekend, our frontline hospital staff were the victims of a level of violence no human should have to face — let alone people who are here to help. Read the statement from our President & CEO, Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott below. #TBay #TBRHSC #onhealth pic.twitter.com/ugpG7aFgvH
— TBRH Sciences Centre (@TBRHSC_NWO) June 20, 2022
