A male nurse was knocked unconscious, two other female nurses suffered injuries in an incident at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health in Penetanguishene.
Two registered nurses and a registered practical nurse - all seasoned staff according to their union - were treated and released from hospital after an alleged 'blitz attack' this morning.
A female staff member was attacked first and then the other two were injured trying to intervene, said a spokesperson for the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.
It happened in the shower area of a ward called the Atrium, according to Pete Sheehan, president of Local 329 of OPSEU.
"This was a blitz attack," said Sheehan, who said a male patient became anxious and came out of the shower room 'swinging at people.'
"Three of our people went to the hospital. One guy was knocked unconscious. Another staff member was hit in the head two or three times then a second female staff member was hit in the head too."
Sheehan says the female staffers ended up with black eyes and contusions around their face. The male nurse suffered a loose tooth, dislocated finger and possibly a concussion.
Within 90 seconds there was probably another eight or nine staff there, said Sheehan.
"There was from my understanding, adequate staffing numbers there on the ward," he said.
The Ministry of Labour is on site investigating, according to Sheehan who also believes assault charges have been laid against a male patient but the OPP has not commented.
The hospital says privacy legislation prohibits it from discussing patient information.
"We can confirm that an incident happened this morning that did require three staff to be taken to the hospital. The hospital takes all incidents seriously, providing immediate support to all injured or affected, and by notifying the appropriate authorities and cooperating with their subsequent investigations," said Laurene Hilderley, Director of Communications for Waypoint.
"There was a short period when patients in our high secure provincial programs were confined to their rooms while the incident response was underway and to enable staff to participate in the investigation and debriefing sessions."
Hilderley says Waypoint's priority is the safety and well-being of patients and staff.
"We are also respectful of everyone involved and their privacy, as well as the investigation process, and as a result would not comment further."
Sheehan says four Waypoint staff members were sent to hospital last week after an assault.
"We're back in the news for all the wrong reasons," said Sheehan, who says the facility needs more seasoned, full-time staff to respond to these violent incidents.
"This particular incident speaks to the unpredictability of the client population our staff deal with day in and day out. It's a huge risk. The general public has no idea," said Sheehan.
