REGINA — The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is expanding protective services in additional Saskatchewan communities by engaging with contracted providers.
In 2025, the SHA trialed using contracted providers to offer protective services in Prince Albert, North Battleford and Lloydminster. The enhanced service focused on improving responsiveness to violence including prevention, de-escalation and providing a physical response when needed in support of care teams, according to the SHA
SHA says the success of these contracted services has led making the trial permanent at those three sites and replicating the program in five of eight more identified communities: La Loche, Swift Current, Moose Jaw, Nipawin and Melfort. Rollout of this program in the communities of Kamsack, Weyburn and Shellbrook has been delayed due to collective bargaining requirements and technicalities with the CUPE union, SHA says.
The authority says it has completed the procurement process for the third-party providers at these additional sites, and The Corps of Commissionaires was selected as the successful vendor. Officers will begin working in facilities in Swift Current, Moose Jaw, Nipawin, Melfort and La Loche throughout August.
“These measures are about prevention and protection,” said Vince Ashmeade, SHA director, Protective Services and Emergency Management. “Health-care workers deserve to feel safe in their workplace, and patients should feel secure when accessing care.”
The SHA also continues to participate in an external review of protective services protocols as announced by the Ministry of Health in spring 2026. This independent review of hospital safety and security is an important step to strengthen safety across the system, the SHA says.
