Healthcare Security & Safety Week

Today marks the beginning of "Heathcare Security & Safety Week". This morning, I sent the following email to my security staff at Baycrest Health Sciences. I thought that I would share it here, because this message doesn't apply only to my team, but to all of the healthcare security officers, guards and police officers around the world.

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As many of you are aware, I am a very involved in the International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety, (IAHSS). Over the past twenty plus years, I have served on several international Committees, working groups, task forces and on the IAHSS International Board of Directors. I had the honour to serve as the Association’s International President in 2017.

Each year, our Association recognizes the importance of security and safety in healthcare. 

October 11 - 17, 2020 is “Healthcare Security & Safety Week”. The theme for this year’s Healthcare Security and Safety Week 2020 is "Heroes in Security and Safety".

During Healthcare Security and Safety Week, and throughout the year, IAHSS is proud to celebrate the role of healthcare security and safety professionals in serving healthcare facilities, personnel, patients and visitors. We acknowledge the hard work, dedication, commitment, diligence and care that Security staff display in their practice and profession.

This past year has been like no other year before. In my 35 years of working in Healthcare Security I have never dealt with anything close to what are faced with at this moment. We have been faced not only with the difficult job that we do during ordinary times but with the added stress and demands that COVID-19 has presented to us.

Many of you have been personally impacted by everything that has happened this year. Yet, throughout this turbulent year, every single one of you has worked hard to ensure that the people that are in our trust and care are provided with the highest level of safety and security that Baycrest can provide.  Our efforts have helped Baycrest to keep the impact of COVID-19 to a minimum on our residents, patients and clients. Other Long Term Care Homes in Ontario have not been as fortunate as we have and that is due in part to our role. 

As you may have heard on the news, Ontario is starting to see the beginning of the “Second Wave”. It is possible that in the next few days or weeks the Provincial Government my re-instate business closures and the restriction of visitors to hospitals and Long Term Care Homes in Ontario. All of us need to follow these guidelines, including the wearing of masks, to ensure that we keep ourselves, our co-workers, visitors and clients safe.

I am very proud of all of you and the work that you have done so far this year. Not a day goes by without me receiving a compliment about the Baycrest Security team. Thank you all so much for the exceptional work that you have been doing.

Please, stay safe, stay healthy and make sure that you take time to rest, relax and to take care of yourself. We need you here!