Workplace violence in healthcare—especially in mental health and forensic units—remains one of the most serious risks faced by frontline staff. A recent case at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care in Penetanguishene, Ontario, has brought this issue back into focus. After a violent incident involving a patient left three workers injured, the facility has been fined $130,000 for failing to protect staff through proper instruction and supervision. Here’s what happened, why it matters, and what healthcare employers should be doing to prevent similar events.
1. Overview of the Incident
Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care has been fined after three staff members were injured during a violent encounter with a patient inside a high-security forensic mental health unit. The event occurred on December 31, 2023, inside Beckwith Unit A.
2. Timeline of Events Leading to the Assault
Earlier in the day, a patient care assistant (PCA) had a verbal dispute with a patient but believed the conflict had been resolved.
Later, while patients were gathering for lunch, the PCA—who was seated at the time—asked the same patient to remove their feet from a couch. The patient suddenly reacted with physical aggression, attacking the PCA.
A Code White was called, and five additional staff intervened to regain control. Three workers suffered injuries, including one classified as critical.
3. Court Ruling and Total Penalties
On October 16, the institution pled guilty in Provincial Offences Court in Barrie.
The court imposed:
- $130,000 fine
- 25% victim fine surcharge (as required under the Provincial Offences Act)
The case was prosecuted by Crown counsel Katie Krafchick and overseen by Justice of the Peace Derek Friend.
4. Violations Under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act
Waypoint failed to comply with Section 25(2)(a) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, which requires employers to provide workers with:
- Proper information
- Adequate instruction
- Appropriate supervision
The Ministry’s investigation concluded that these requirements were not met.
For more on Ontario’s OHSA obligations, visit government safety resources or refer to CCOHS for general workplace violence guidelines (available on safetyrepublic.ca where applicable).
5. About Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care
Waypoint is a well-known psychiatric hospital in Penetanguishene, operating several specialized mental health programs, including high-security forensic units. These environments often involve increased risk of aggression and require strict protocols and high-level staff preparedness.
6. Where the Safety Systems Failed
According to investigators, several preventable gaps contributed to the outcome:
- The patient’s crisis prevention plan was outdated
- Staff were not trained on how to apply the plan
- Workers lacked instruction for managing violence when seated
- Miscommunication allowed earlier warning signs to be overlooked
Some of these issues seem small, but they can snowball into major hazards in high-risk settings.
7. Importance of Crisis Prevention Plans
Crisis prevention plans (CPPs) help staff identify triggers, early warning behaviours, and de-escalation techniques specific to each patient. When not up to date or poorly communicated, they lose their purpose.
A functional CPP should include:
- Known behavioural triggers
- De-escalation tactics
- Early intervention steps
- Safe physical response techniques
- Staff roles during violent events
Employers must ensure CPPs are routinely updated and reviewed.
8. Training Gaps Identified by Investigators
Ministry findings highlighted key weaknesses:
- Staff had not been trained to handle violence from a seated position
- Workers lacked clear guidance on applying CPP strategies
- Not all healthcare teams had uniform training in Code White response procedures
Training should reflect real-world scenarios, not just theory.
9. Key Safety Measures for Violence Prevention in Healthcare
To minimize risks in mental health and forensic units, employers should implement:
- Trauma-informed de-escalation training
- Routine updates to patient crisis plans
- Clear communication protocols across shifts
- Simulation-based Code White practice
- Proper staffing levels to handle high-risk patients
- Incident reviews and internal audits
- Environmental design that limits blind spots
These steps help build safer, more resilient work environments.
10. How Employers Can Strengthen Staff Protection
Healthcare organizations should reinforce safety by:
- Conducting regular violence risk assessments
- Investing in refresher training annually
- Ensuring supervisors lead by example in safety compliance
- Documenting and reviewing all incidents
- Providing mental health support for affected employees
- Engaging Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSCs)
- Improving hazard reporting systems
Even small improvments in communication and planning can prevent serious injuries.