If you've made a trip recently to the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital, you probably have noticed somewhat of a changing of the guard at the health facility, with new security officers in place part of an expanded security program put in place by the Province.
Prince Rupert was one of a number of communities which has benefitted from the hiring of 320 relational security officers since the program was announced in 2022.
“The COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing toxic-drug crisis have exacerbated challenges in the health-care system, and compromised the safety of the workplace for some health-care employees and quality care of patients. That’s why a year ago, we made a commitment to hire 320 new relational security officers by fall 2023 to rectify the situation.
Today, I am pleased to report that 320 workers have been hired within the health authorities for all 26 sites that were identified. This commitment will significantly improve the safety of our health-care facilities and help us better retain and recruit health workers, as well as care for our patients.” -- Adrian Dix, Minister of Health.
The security program involves the hiring of relational security personnel, the concept of staffing described as follows:
Indigenous cultural safety and anti-Indigenous racism are key components of the training. Engagement with unions and Provincial Health Service Authority’s Indigenous Health have taken place, including consultations with First Nations Health Authority and Fraser Health.
Update: On Friday, November 24th, Northern Health introduced the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital Relational Security team.
More on the program can be reviewed here.
North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice took note of the security measures through her social media stream on Friday.
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