The 2024/25 annual report from the Ministry of Health found that there were more than 300 critical incidents in Saskatchewan hospitals between 2023 and 2025. Of those, 17 incidents involved criminal acts being committed towards a patient, and in one instance a patient was even abducted. It was also reported that violence doubled in hospitals between 2022-23 and 2023-24 — and that violent incidents are underreported.
Last week, Moe’s incompetent Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill finally announced a “review” of hospital security. However, there was no timeline, no details on the scope of the review and no commitment to consult frontline healthcare workers. Those workers have been speaking about the healthcare safety crisis for years — 200 recently signed a letter demanding emergency action at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon after a patient was found in possession of a firearm and three knives.
“Healthcare workers have been speaking out for years about the threats to them and their patients — and Scott Moe and Jeremy Cockrill ignored them at every turn,” said Meara Conway, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Health Minister.
“Even one of these incidents is unacceptable. Moe and his loyalists in the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s senior ranks have let patient safety reach crisis levels. This was avoidable and preventable had they listened to the warnings and recommendations. coming from the provincial auditor, from healthcare workers, from members of the public.
“The Sask. Party has spent more time setting up snitch lines than throwing frontline healthcare workers a lifeline.”
In 2024, a
Provincial Auditor report found that 17 of 20 safety incidents investigated had “weak planned corrective action”. The report found that the Ministry’s own Critical Incident Review Committee suggested pat downs of patients and the installation of metal detectors as stronger measures to prevent weapons from entering emergency rooms. Critically, the committee did not require SHA to revise its planned actions — it would be another 415 days before the Sask. Party finally announced a metal detector at St. Paul’s last week.
Last week, the Official Opposition exposed images of four tables full of weapons at a single entrance at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon.
“It took over a year between the auditor calling for metal detectors to keep patients safe and the Sask. Party to act,” said Nathaniel Teed, Saskatchewan NDP Labour Shadow Minister. “In that time, weapons entered emergency rooms, healthcare workers faced violence and threats. Their inaction made hospitals less safe for patients and staff.”
“My message to Scott Moe, Jeremy Cockrill, and their cronies on the SHA board, stop cowering in the cabinet office, and do your job.”
“It’s time for a government that will fix healthcare and make our hospitals safer. It’s time for change.”
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