Three employees at the QEII Emergency and Trauma Centre in Halifax were hurt by a patient Wednesday in what Nova Scotia’s health minister is calling a “serious incident.”
Michelle Thompson said in a statement the department was subject to a “threat,” which has since been contained by Halifax Regional Police.
Karen Oldfield, interim president and CEO of Nova Scotia Health, said a Code Silver was called, and police took the patient into custody.
“I am saddened to share that earlier today, three employees at the QEII Emergency and Trauma Centre were injured by a patient in the department,” Oldfield said in a memo shared with Global News.
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“While many of our healthcare teams are familiar with the intensity required for providing life-saving care, this incident has left many shaken. We are working closely with Halifax Regional Police as they investigate and working alongside our union partners to continue to provide safe workplaces.”
Thompson told reporters the Code Silver was called in at roughly 1 p.m. She added police remain on site, and hospital staff will only be accepting critical emergencies and trauma patients for the time being. The rest of the hospital is operating as per normal.
“Halifax Regional Police are there. They have taken someone into custody, but that area now is a crime scene, and we do need to allow them to do their work,” Thompson said.
“We will work with them very closely and bring that service back online as soon as we’re able.”
No further information about the suspect or the victims was provided.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
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