Cowichan District Hospital Crash Exposes Worsening Safety Crisis in Health Care

The BC Nurses’ Union is calling on government and health authorities to commit to implementing meaningful violence-prevention measures following a disturbing incident last weekend at Cowichan District Hospital (CDH) when a vehicle crashed through the front doors of the emergency department, seriously endangering staff and patients.

With repairs to the front entrance of the emergency department set to begin today, BCNU President Adriane Gear says the incident highlights deeper safety concerns that go beyond the physical damage.

“What happened at CDH is shocking — but it is not an isolated incident,” says Gear. “The reality is that violence, threats, and unsafe working conditions have become routine in health care. The fact that no one was seriously injured this time is sheer luck. But luck is not a safety plan.”

The incident follows a string of violent and threatening events at the hospital in recent days, including an assault on a nurse, threats of gun violence toward emergency staff, and damage to hospital property. BCNU says this latest incident is a stark example of the need for systemic change across the province and is calling on the government and health authorities to recognize the enormity of the problem.

“We are relieved that no one was seriously hurt, but this incident is a clear reminder that unsafe working conditions put nurses and the public at risk,” says Gear. “We are calling on Island Health to acknowledge these dangers and prioritize occupational health and safety to prevent the next crisis before it’s too late.”

The incident at CDH comes on the heels of BCNU’s renewed calls to address violence in health care. Last week, the union presented a comprehensive list of 10 violence prevention measures to both health authorities and the provincial government, created with the direct input of frontline nurses.

BCNU acknowledges that Island Health has taken several immediate steps following the incident — including installing concrete barriers at the emergency department entrance, temporary protective plexiglass at the triage desk, and conducting a structural assessment of the facility. However, Gear says these actions, while necessary, are reactive and temporary.

“These are short-term fixes to a long-term problem,” says Gear. “They don’t address the root causes — chronic short staffing, inadequate security, and a lack of meaningful support for frontline nurses. Until those issues are resolved, both nurses and the public will remain at risk.”

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