Winnipeg police are investigating a serious assault on a staff member at Seven Oaks Hospital.
Officers were called to the hospital on McPhillips Street at Leila Avenue around 2:30 p.m.
They say one person was transported for treatment in unstable condition.
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) later confirmed a member of the hospital’s staff was assaulted inside the Leila Avenue atrium area.
“Our staff and leadership are devastated by this incident and our hearts and healing thoughts are with the victim and their family, as well as with all employees and patients at Seven Oaks,” a WRHA spokesperson said in statement.
Police haven’t said if a weapon was used or if any arrests have been made.
Mike Nader, President and CEO of the WRHA, says his team is cooperating with police, who remained at the hospital into the evening Wednesday.
Nader says the victim has worked within the WRHA for a significant amount of time but he hasn’t been in contact with the family in order to give them space to process the horrific attack.
“The hospital is open and continues to operate but some of our entrances will remain closed. We’ve decided to suspend visitation at Seven Oaks for at least the next 24 hours except for end-of-life situations. The atrium is still a crime scene.”
Nader says he wants to remind everyone healthcare staff has been on the frontlines for almost two years and have had to put up with all the restrictions and then some.
The hospital has also brought in extra security.
Nader says his team are going to review the incident and to learn what they could have done differently to keep patients and staff safe.
“This is an isolated incident, we will learn from this and improve every time we can,” he says. “It’s still very raw for many of us and we’re still recovering from it and doing everything we can to support one another.”
The hospital’s main entrance at Leila Avenue will remain closed for the remainder of the day Wednesday, but the urgent care centre and it’s usual entrance remain open to the public. Dialysis patients are being asked to use the McPhillips Street doors to access the hospital.
In a statement sent to media around 4:15 p.m. Wednesday police said they wouldn’t be providing further details “as this investigation is still unfolding.”
A police spokesperson said further updates may be available Thursday.