The OPP has charged a 32-year old male patient in connection with stabbings and assaults last week at the Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care in Penetanguishene.
"I am grateful that the police did a thorough investigation and laid charges," said OPSEU President Warren "Smokey" Thomas. "I support and recognize that people who are declared not criminally responsible present very different challenges to the judicial system and health care providers. However the law is the law."
The OPP say that members of the Southern Georgian Bay crime unit along with the assistance of the Central Region Emergency Response Unit arrested a man today at Waypoint in relation to the attack that sent three staff members to hospital.
Last Tuesday afternoon, Thomas says two screwdrivers were used in an attack on staff that started when a nurse was stabbed from behind between her shoulder blades.
"The male nurse manager jumped in to her rescue," said Thomas. "The nurse got flung, the back of her head hit the wall and she was knocked unconscious."
Thomas says the nurse manager suffered a broken nose and a broken jaw and several puncture wounds in his back.
Two other workers were also hurt.
The patient is facing five charges including assault, two counts of assault with a weapon and two counts of aggravated assault.
He was held for a bail hearing in Barrie.
The identity of the accused is not being released as he is protected under the Mental Health Act and by health information privacy legislation.
The staff members were treated in hospital and released and Thomas says they're still in shock.
"The ferocity and the nature of this assault - stabbing with a screw driver - that was meant to seriously harm people. It's difficult for people to get over it."
The union president says the attack "underscores there are serious problems at Waypoint" and is urging the Minister of Health and Minister of Labour to meet with presidents of psychiatric hospitals.
Members of OPSEU plan a "solidarity rally" for the victims of the Waypoint attacks outside the gates of the Centre tomorrow at noon.
