The Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union says installing metal detectors at the QEII emergency department is a necessary step, but more must be done to improve safety for healthcare workers.
“It’s unfortunate that we’ve reached this point, but it’s absolutely necessary,” said union president Janet Hazleton. “People are bringing knives into healthcare facilities across the province. We’ve had incidents involving guns, and staff have no way of knowing if someone is carrying a weapon.”
The new security measures come after a stabbing in January, where a patient injured four people, including two hospital staff. Beginning Friday, everyone entering the emergency department through the Bell Road entrance will be screened, and security will have the authority to search for weapons.
Hazleton says the issue extends beyond the QEII, and the union supports expanding metal detectors to more healthcare facilities.
“This isn’t just a Halifax issue; it’s happening everywhere,” she said. “Most of our members feel the same way—it’s disappointing that this is necessary, but the need is there. You can’t bring a weapon into a Mooseheads game or the legislature without passing through security, yet anyone can walk into a hospital or long-term care facility with one. That’s not right.”
Beyond metal detectors, the union is calling for stronger security measures across the province, including consistent 24/7 security at all healthcare sites.
“At some facilities, there’s no security overnight,” Hazleton said. “If someone comes to the door, nurses are expected to answer it, bring them inside, assess them, and direct them to the right place—sometimes alone. That’s unacceptable. If staff are required to let people in, there needs to be security there to ensure their safety.”
She also wants more clarity on security roles, saying different facilities have different expectations for what security officers can and can’t do.
“Some security officers say they can intervene in an incident, others say they can’t. That inconsistency puts staff in a difficult position,” she said. “We need clear guidelines so nurses and other workers know what support they can expect.”
Hazleton says workplace safety is critical to retaining nurses, who are already dealing with high workloads and staffing shortages.
“If nurses feel unsafe at work, they’re not going to stay,” she said. “We can’t afford to lose more nurses. Every time one leaves the profession, it puts more strain on the ones who stay, which leads to burnout and even more nurses leaving. It’s a cycle we need to break.”
She wants the province to focus on recruitment and retention, calling for more permanent full-time positions, competitive wages, and better working conditions.
“Nurses are telling them what’s wrong—unsafe workplaces, excessive workloads, lack of support—and those issues need to be addressed,” she said. “We need to make Nova Scotia a place where nurses want to work.”
Nova Scotia Health says additional security measures have already been implemented at the QEII, including the use of handheld metal detectors and extra staff training.
The health authority says further recommendations will be put in place as needed.
