Edmonton, Alberta — The Alberta Union of Professional Employees (AUPE) is voicing serious concerns following a violent incident on Christmas Day at Alberta Hospital, where a health-care worker was assaulted by two patients. The 300-bed psychiatric facility, located in northeastern Edmonton, provides essential mental health and addictions services, including detoxification programs and long-term forensic psychiatric care.
The circumstances surrounding the assault remain unclear, as officials have not disclosed the specific reasons for the patients’ admissions. Recovery Alberta, the organization currently overseeing the hospital’s operations, cited privacy and an ongoing investigation as reasons for withholding additional details. Edmonton police were dispatched shortly before 2 a.m. to respond to an active assault, where they found the injured worker. The individual sustained serious, though non-life-threatening, injuries and was subsequently taken to a local hospital. Two suspects were arrested at the scene.
In a statement, the AUPE expressed deep disappointment regarding Recovery Alberta’s handling of the situation. Union representatives criticized the organization for failing to follow essential procedures following the incident, asserting that this negligence delayed crucial support for affected staff. “It is an unacceptable reality that health-care workers are frequently victims of workplace violence, subjected to both psychological and physical trauma,” the union stated.
Recovery Alberta acknowledged the incident and indicated that workplace violence is infrequent within the facility. Despite this claim, the AUPE strongly contests the organization’s assessment, arguing that such incidents are more common than reported. Following the assault, emergency protocols were initiated, as stated by Recovery Alberta, emphasizing the gravity with which they regard such occurrences.
The union further highlighted the increasing pressures faced by health-care workers, exacerbated by short staffing and overwhelming workloads. Many employees are grappling with the repercussions of working in an environment where violence can occur. “Our members deserve better protections, and it’s essential that employers take these matters seriously,” the AUPE added.
As of now, no formal charges have been filed against the assailants, although investigations by the Edmonton Police Service are ongoing. Recovery Alberta has publicly expressed its commitment to supporting the injured employee and others impacted by the event, asserting the need to understand specific protocols mentioned by the union before completing their response.
With workplace violence increasingly becoming a topic of concern in healthcare settings, the AUPE is calling for heightened awareness and preventive measures to safeguard health-care workers as they continue to provide critical services to vulnerable populations.