Outdated crisis plan cited in hospital worker injuries
Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care has been fined $130,000 after three workers were injured during a violent incident involving a patient in a high-security forensic mental health unit.
The Penetanguishene, Ont., institution pleaded guilty Oct. 16 in Provincial Offences Court in Barrie to failing to provide a worker with proper information, instruction, and supervision to protect the worker’s health and safety, contrary to section 25(2)(a) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Justice of the Peace Derek Friend imposed the fine, with Crown counsel Katie Krafchick prosecuting. A 25% victim fine surcharge was also applied.
The incident occurred Dec. 31, 2023, in Beckwith Unit A at the facility on Church St. A patient care assistant became involved in an argument with a patient earlier in the day. The PCA believed the matter had been resolved and returned to other duties.
While patients were gathering for lunch, the seated PCA asked the same patient to keep their feet off the couch. The patient responded violently toward the PCA.
A Code White, the hospital’s emergency response for violent or aggressive behaviour, was called. Five other workers intervened and eventually brought the patient under control. The incident resulted in a critical injury to the PCA, while two other workers were also hurt.
An investigation by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development found the patient’s crisis prevention plan was not up to date, and staff were not given proper direction on how to use the plan. In addition, staff had not received adequate training on how to respond to violence from a seated position.
The surcharge will be credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.
