Summerside's Prince County Hospital has beefed up security in its emergency room and the province will spend $500,000 redesigning its layout.

Barbara Worth said staff feel they are getting less respect from patients.
(CBC)

Barbara Worth, executive director of the hospital, told CBC News Monday an increasing number of incidents in the emergency department has forced the changes.

"Over the last, probably, year or so … staff have brought it to our attention that they are feeling more and more unsafe in their work environment," said Worth.

The hospital has had a commissionaire in the emergency room, but that person also has other duties. It has now hired a security firm to have someone on duty around the clock.

"We'd like to actually make an office that's very present just as you come into the emergency room for the security personnel," said Worth.

The emergency department will be redesigned to allow staff to safely exit if they need to.
(CBC)

"We'd like to redesign the triage area for the nursing staff so they can make a quick exit if they need to, and also we'd like to look at the admitting department and again make it a little safer for that staff and also an exit."

Health Minister Doug Currie said the provincial government has set aside $500,000 in its capital budget to redesign the emergency room.

"Security is a priority for individuals in the health-care system. We have to respect those concerns," said Currie.

"I know that security is put in place in Prince County Hospital and in other hospitals across the province because of the rise in the number of incidents of concern."

Worth said staff feel there is less respect for their positions and that's leading to less patience when waiting for treatment.

"Staff and physicians both feel there is a bit more unwillingness to tolerate waits," she said.

"Maybe the expectations are just a little bit higher than health care can deliver."

Security issues are a growing concern in Prince Edward Island hospitals, as there are more and more incidents of violence against health-care professionals. Worth said it's part of a national trend that's just showing up now on the Island.