SHA to deploy metal detectors in urban emergency departments to strengthen hospital safety and security
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is strengthening hospital safety and security by expanding the deployment of metal detectors in urban emergency departments. Installation of metal detectors occurred on Monday, January 19, 2026 in Saskatoon at the St. Paul’s Hospital and Saskatoon City Hospital emergency departments, and Tuesday, January 20, 2026 in Regina at the Regina General Hospital and Pasqua Hospital emergency departments. Metal detectors will also be deployed in February 2026 at the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital, Battlefords Union Hospital, and the Regina Urgent Care Centre. Metal detection is currently in use at the joint emergency department entrance at Royal University Hospital (RUH) and Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital (JPCH) in Saskatoon
The SHA is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for patients and health-care teams in all of our facilities. Like health systems across Canada, the SHA has responded to an increase in violent incidents and weapons entering emergency departments and hospitals. Violence in health care settings is unacceptable, and the SHA remains committed to strengthening the safety and security of our hospitals.
“Hospitals should be safe places for our patients, visitors, and the health-care teams who provide care every day,” said Andrew Will, CEO of the Saskatchewan Health Authority. “Safety is a core value of the SHA, and we are committed to strengthening hospital safety and security in response to the increasing complexity and volume of situations requiring intervention by Protective Services. The expansion of metal detection technology is an important step to support safer care environments and prevent weapons from entering emergency departments.”
The SHA ordered additional metal detectors in December 2025 for broader deployment in urban emergency departments following a successful pilot of metal detection technology at the joint emergency department entrance at Royal University Hospital (RUH) and Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital (JPCH) in Saskatoon. Metal detectors support Protective Services in preventing weapons from entering emergency departments, enhancing safety and security for patients, visitors and health-care teams.
To support implementation and operations, The SHA is adding the equivalent of 51 full-time Protective Services positions to provide 24/7 staffing and ensure consistent operations and screening.
Once fully installed, everyone entering a main emergency department entrance in Saskatoon and Regina will pass through a metal detector, with Protective Services Officers onsite to monitor the system and respond quickly to safety concerns.
Deployment schedule
Saskatoon
- Royal University Hospital / Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital (shared emergency department entrance) – metal detector operational
- St. Paul’s Hospital – installation occurred Monday, January 19, 2026
- Saskatoon City Hospital – installation occurred Monday, January 19, 2026
Regina
- Regina General Hospital – installation occurred Tuesday, January 20, 2026
- Pasqua Hospital – installation occurred Tuesday, January 20, 2026
- Regina Urgent Care Centre – installation February 2026
Additional sites
- Prince Albert Victoria Hospital – installation February 2026
- Battlefords Union Hospital – installation February 2026
The SHA will continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Health and system partners as we prioritize hospital safety and security across Saskatchewan.
