New security measures are being rolled out at Thompson General Hospital including expanded staffing and tighter entry protocols.
The Northern Health Region says the changes are aimed at strengthening safety for patients, staff, and visitors.
Security guards are already present around the clock at hospitals with active inpatient units, including Thompson General Hospital, St. Anthony’s Hospital in The Pas and Flin Flon General Hospital. In Thompson, that presence is being enhanced with the addition of Institutional Safety Officers, with a goal of eventually providing 24/7 coverage alongside existing security staff.
The region says Code White protocols remain in place to allow staff to quickly respond to incidents involving patients or visitors with the support of trained personnel.
As part of the update, five full-time Institutional Safety Officer positions have been established at Thompson General Hospital, providing daytime coverage seven days a week. Recruitment and training are ongoing to expand that coverage.
Institutional Safety Officers are licensed as peace officers and receive additional training in areas such as crisis intervention, de-escalation, investigations and evidence collection. They are also authorized to take custody of individuals under the Mental Health Act from RCMP and ensure their safety until they can be assessed by health-care professionals.
Started March 25, new access management measures have also taken effect at Thompson General Hospital. All patients, visitors and members of the public are required to enter through the main entrance, where a centralized security checkpoint will be in place.
Under the new system, individuals entering the hospital will be asked to participate in a verbal screening and may be required to have personal belongings searched or secured. With consent, additional screening measures such as metal detection or pat-down searches may also be used.
The emergency department entrance will no longer be used for public access and will remain secured.
The health region says individuals who decline to participate in screening may face restricted access, though alternative arrangements will be considered for those seeking medical care.
Staff, contractors, RCMP and emergency medical services will continue to access the facility through existing protocols.
By Steven Sukkau, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on Mar 30, 2026 at 13:05
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