New Emergency Department Security Measures to Enhance Safety While Maintaining Timely Access to Care

Beginning Monday, August 31, Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) will introduce new overnight security measures at its Emergency Department (ED) entrance. The ED entrance doors will be locked daily from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Patients requiring care during that time will utilize a doorbell and notification system, that immediately alerts staff, to gain entry.

The Senior Leadership understands that changes to ED access may raise questions for patients and community members. The decision was made only after careful consideration of patient experiences, safety concerns, operational best practices.

The hospital has engaged internal teams and community partners to support a smooth transition and will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the new process following implementation.

“Patient and staff safety is our highest priority. We want our staff, patients, families, and community partners to know that we have listened to their feedback,” says Dean Osmond, SLMHC President and CEO. “This change reflects our commitment to creating a safe and respectful environment for everyone who enters our hospital. At the same time, we have taken extensive steps to ensure that anyone seeking emergency care continues to receive prompt access.”

Many hospitals across Ontario and throughout Canada have adopted similar overnight entrance security practices as part of broader efforts to enhance safety for patients, visitors, physicians, and healthcare workers.

SLMHC remains committed to providing timely, compassionate, and accessible emergency services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Several safeguards have been implemented to ensure patients can continue to access entry promptly, including:

• Clearly marked ED entry instructions;
• Doorbell and notification systems that immediately alerts staff when a patient arrives;
• Multiple notification channels and redundancies to ensure alerts are received promptly;

SLMHC values the trust placed in it by patients, families, First Nations partners, and the communities it serves. The organization remains dedicated to delivering safe, high-quality care while continuously seeking opportunities to improve patient and staff experience.