The CEO of NL Health Services says he is open to discussions about the establishment of an independent health sector safety council.

The Registered Nurses Union recently renewed their calls for such a council, noting that violence against healthcare workers is higher than any other sector in the province.

NL Health services recently outlined numerous initiatives to help reduce the reliance on agency nurses over the next two years.

When asked if he would be open to such a move as a way to protect nurses and, ultimately, keep them in the workplace, CEO David Diamond says “absolutely,” and that they have “far too many injuries in healthcare.”

Diamond says they have had many good discussions with the RNU and the Workers’ Compensation Commission about such a council.

He says they’re supportive of anything that can keep healthcare workers safe.