B.C. Working To Curb Violence Against Health-Care Workers

The province has established a new program aimed at curbing violence against health-care workers.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says acute-care facilities will be the focus of the model as 320 uniformed protection service officers and 14 people tasked with preventing violence are hired in facilities in all health authorities.

The model will be in place at 26 health-care sites like emergency rooms and mental health units, but won't apply to long-term care and home support aides.

SafeCare B-C, which is a non-profit group that develops injury prevention training for the sector, says all health-care workers deserve to benefit from improved safety protocols, even if the violence stems from patients with dementia.

It says 270 incidents were reported among those workers last year, and many cases go unreported.