Two nurses have come forward to share their harrowing experiences of violence while working at Eagle Ridge Hospital (ERH) in Port Moody, B.C. They claim that the Fraser Health Authority (FHA) has neglected to ensure a safe working environment and has attempted to silence employees who raise concerns.
Arden Foley, a seasoned nurse, cited lingering post-traumatic stress from an assault by a patient as the reason for not returning to work. Another nurse, Victoria Treacy, alleged that she was suspended and investigated by Fraser Health after speaking out about a patient who menaced her colleagues with a machete.
While Fraser Health denied suspending Treacy, both nurses’ accounts are part of a legal action filed against the health authority in the B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver on June 6. The lawsuit, brought by emergency physician Kaitlin Stockton, claims that efforts to address ER conditions were met with threats and inaction by the authority.
The legal filing highlights a range of violent incidents, including a nurse reportedly strangled by a patient, resulting in broken ribs, and a physician harmed by a pit bull in the ER. The suit alleges a pervasive culture of normalization around such events within FHA management.
Fraser Health declined to comment on the ongoing court case but acknowledged recent violent episodes at Eagle Ridge Hospital and implemented enhanced security measures in response. Treacy recounted a terrifying incident where a man brandished a machete in the ER, leading to her advocacy for improved safety protocols.
Foley shared her traumatic encounter with a patient who violently kicked her, causing a jaw dislocation, concussion, and PTSD. Despite seeking support and counseling, Foley decided to leave her nursing career due to deteriorating work conditions and increased incidents of aggression towards staff. The B.C. Nurses’ Union noted a concerning rise in violent incidents affecting their members, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced safety measures.
Treacy expressed dismay at the escalation of violence in healthcare settings, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing staff safety to prevent further harm.