Safety concerns remain a recurring issue in hospitals across Saskatchewan, according to the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses.

One of the latest incidents occurred outside Regina General Hospital, where two men were arrested and reportedly found with guns and other weapons. The union says it’s just one of many incidents reported by nurses across the province this year.

“In our recent survey this fall, nearly 70 per cent of SUN members reported experiencing violence in their workplace within the past 12 months. That’s more than two-thirds of nurses in this province,” said SUN president Bryce Boynton.

Boynton said the findings are based on a survey of more than 1,800 union members, adding the union’s office receives daily reports from nurses about unsafe working conditions and violence.

“It’s an ongoing discussion that’s been happening for years, long before I even became a nurse,” he said. “Violence has been occurring, and it’s only continuing to get worse.”

Over the past year, nurses have filed 118 reports where violence and safety were identified as workplace issues.

SUN is calling on the Saskatchewan Health Authority to implement several measures, including installing metal detectors at public entrances, adding security cameras, increasing on-site security, ensuring patients are searched before entering emergency departments, and allowing nurses to flag patient charts for prior incidents involving weapons or violence.

Boynton said more than half of SUN members surveyed are considering leaving the province or the profession, while another quarter are eligible to retire immediately.

“If we continue to do nothing and allow violence to persist, we’re making it very easy for people to make that decision,” he said.

Boynton added that a comprehensive violence-prevention strategy is needed from the province and the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

In a statement to CTV News, the Saskatchewan Health Authority said it met with the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses on Tuesday to discuss concerns and ideas, describing the conversation as part of a collaborative approach to improving safety and security in hospitals.