An impromptu memorial for Dr. Walter Reynolds, who died after he was attacked in an examination room rests outside the Village Mall walk-in clinic in Red Deer on Tuesday.--cp photo Jeff McIntosh
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
The attack and subsequent death of a Red Deer physician at a walk-in clinic has stirred strong emotions locally among doctors and their staff.
“This incident was shocking and frightening, but most of all, so very sad,” said a local physician whose name the News has agreed not to use. “It could have occurred in many workplaces, and this time it hit way too close to home.”
Dr. Walter Reynolds, 45, was attacked with a hammer and machete in a medical clinic on Monday and subsequently died. Deng Mabiour, 54, of Red Deer has been charged with first-degree murder.
While the vast majority of patient visits are mutually respectful and without incidents with concerns for the safety of doctor, staff and other patients, police have had to be called to the clinic, said a local physician. Some clinics have “panic buttons” in examining rooms but they are not user friendly. With increasing overhead expenses security is often an expense that has been bumped.
Dr. Gaylord Wardell, anesthesiologist and pain specialist at Sante Surgi Centre and Wardell Centre for Chronic Pain Disease in Medicine Hat, is concerned about the ramifications.
“The relationship between doctors and patients has been strained by socialized medicine, unionized staff, aggressive regulation by regulators, privacy issues, financial constraints, the COVID-19 pandemic, AHS (Alberta Health Services) and government agendas,” he said.
We have an aging population, more complex medical needs and added to that mix there are new Canadians with cultures, beliefs and expectations that may be different to that of mainstream Canada, said Wardell.
“I hope this incident does not lead to a bureaucratic overreaction, ostensibly to protect the patients and doctors, which will in the end reduce freedom and decrease the close bonds needed to provide compassionate, yet high quality health care,” said Wardell. “I fear it’s one more reason for the CPSA (College of Physicians and Surgeons) and government to further distance health care from personal patient care.”
Palliser Primary Care Network works with most family doctor clinics in the region and has 70 staff located in them.
“We are so deeply troubled by this incident and extend our condolences to the staff and patients of the clinic as well as the physicians family,” said Treena Klassen, executive director for PPCN.
PCN staff in these clinics are all certified in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training.
“This certification is focused around de-escalation techniques as well as restrictive and nonrestrictive interventions,” said Klassen. “Staff receive NVCI training every two years.”
Also, when placing PCN staff in a clinic, supervisors do an onsite assessment of the clinic looking for safety concerns such as location of desk and door, said Klassen.
