Further to the response provided to the Member for Yellowknife North on May 22, 2025, the following additional information is provided:
The landscape of public interactions in health care has changed, and Stanton Territorial Hospital staff are faced with an increased potential for violent encounters that were uncommon in years passed. There has been a visible increase in presentations at Stanton Territorial Hospital, especially within the emergency department, where individuals often seek care not only for medical needs but also for shelter and warmth, especially in the winter months. This trend underscores the Hospital’s evolving role as a frontline responder to broader social issues and highlights the urgent need for integrated community support and collaborative strategies to address the complex needs of this vulnerable population.
In response to several safety and security incidents and complaints about an unsafe environment at Stanton Territorial Hospital, senior leadership initiated a review to identify potential significant safety risks to patients, staff and visitors to the hospital and a path to address these concerns.
An environmental risk assessment was conducted with staff in 36 areas of Stanton Territorial Hospital. The assessment identified overarching and unit specific concerns which were assigned to the leadership on each unit to address with the staff of the area. Specific activities to address concerns include:
Implementing enhanced training for the security team
Non-violent crisis intervention staff training for all staff
Implementation of a Be on the Lookout, or BOLO, program for identifying visitors with the potential for violent behaviour
Enhanced daily communication between all stakeholders
Implementation of a daily security report, or DSR
Environmental safety modifications
Signage improvements
Safety protocols at Stanton Territorial Hospital have been enhanced, particularly with the development and implementation of a Code Silver Standard Operating Procedure, or SOP, which addresses active assailant situations or threats involving weapons. This SOP was formally introduced in May 2025, marking a critical advancement in preparedness and response capabilities for high-risk incidents. Additionally, a new Code White procedure was implemented in July 2025, specifically designed to guide staff in responding to violent incidents within the facility. These updates reflect a proactive and coordinated approach to workplace safety, ensuring that staff are equipped with clear, actionable protocols to manage escalating situations effectively and protect both themselves and the individuals in their care.
A Safety and Security Working Group that includes the RCMP, Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority Occupational Health and Safety, Dexterra, Scarlett Security Services, Stanton Territorial Hospital and / Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority Senior Management, is now in place to review issues and develop and implement identified solutions.
The meetings serve as a platform to strengthen engagement, improve communication, and support joint decision-making. A key objective is to identify, develop, and review policies that pertain to safety matters, ensuring they are responsive to current challenges and aligned across all parties, and implement changes that lead to improved outcomes.
It is integral to acknowledge the key role security partners have played in enhancing safety at Stanton Territorial Hospital. Their presence and active involvement have contributed significantly to creating a more secure environment for both staff and clients. Through consistent collaboration, timely response to incidents, and participation in safety planning, our security teams have helped to mitigate risks and support a culture of safety. The BOLO initiative has led to enhanced surveillance and responses. The security staff insights and frontline experience have been invaluable in shaping practical strategies and ensuring that safety protocols are both effective and responsive to real-time needs.
In December of 2023, Dexterra Security commissioned Risk Control Canada to conduct a security assessment and provide corresponding recommendations concerning security at Stanton Territorial Hospital. Included in the report was a crime severity index, rating and comparison of Yellowknife to other larger centres,
theft and motor vehicle theft.
The following interventions have been identified for implementation:
A complete review of access control throughout the hospital with alignment to current employee positions
Updating the doors on the secure rooms to ensure staff and patient safety
Ensuring secure access to server cabinets and racks
A review of all panic and duress systems to identify improvements
Training for staff on the use of the duress, call bell systems and the internal only phone system
Repositioning of the CCTV cameras to limit blind spots.
Risk assessment focused work has been well received and has resulted in a significant 75% reduction in safety and security incidents between November 2023 and November 2024 according to the incident management system also known as RL6 at Stanton Territorial Hospital.
Leadership will continue to work through a new workplace violence reduction workplan, as well as individualized unit based workplans with the intent to address both system-wide concerns as well as departmental andunit concerns. Stanton Territorial Hospital leadership continues to take the safety and security of its staff, patients and visitors extremely seriously and is committed to working with and for staff to ensure a safe working environment.
