General Hospital area not safe enough for some late night workers
A number of health care workers in Regina are raising concerns about safety for night-shift staff who make their way to and from the General Hospital.
The hospital, in the city's Heritage neighbourhood, does not have a lot of on-site parking and many workers must walk through the area to get to their transportation.
The health care workers took their concerns about safety to politicians at the Saskatchewan Legislature Thursday.
They shared the story of a colleague who was the victim of an assault in December.
"Of course it hit home even closer to us that something needs to change and something needs to be done about the safety of that area," Karly Simpson said. "The safety of the patients and the nurses and all health professionals that are coming in and out of the hospital at all hours of the night because it's proven over and over again in the last little bit that it's simply not safe."
Simpson noted there is not enough security at the hospital to escort each and every one of them to their car after a late shift.
The workers said the province should take action to improve safety around the facility, suggesting improved parking and security.
At the Legislature, the NDP opposition expressed support for the workers' view.
CBC News contacted an official from the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region Thursday who said they have reviewed their security to ensure staff are safe coming and going to work.
The official said they have made some changes to their park and ride service and noted more people have signed up since the assault in December.
