Machete attack, dislocated jaw: Nurses detail violent incidents at Fraser Health hospital

Two nurses are speaking out about violent incidents they experienced while working in the emergency department at Eagle Ridge Hospital (ERH) in Port Moody, B.C. — saying the Fraser Health Authority (FHA) has failed to provide a safe working environment, and has sought to silence employees who speak out. 

Veteran nurse Arden Foley says she is not returning to work because of lingering post traumatic stress from an attack by a patient. Victoria Treacy, says she was suspended and placed under investigation by Fraser Health after she spoke out about a patient who threatened her colleagues with a machete.

The health authority said Treacy, who currently works at the hospital as a casual FHA employee, wasn't suspended or put under investigation. 

However, the women's stories are two of many included in a lawsuit filed against the health authority in the B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver on June 6.

In the lawsuit, emergency physician Kaitlin Stockton alleges that her job was threatened by the authority after she tried to warn patients about lengthy delays in the ER.

It also alleges that deteriorating work conditions in emergency rooms have led to preventable deaths, and describes a slew of violent incidents against employees.

In one instance, a nurse was allegedly strangled by a patient, and after eight weeks off work, suffered four broken ribs from a separate attack. In another, a physician allegedly suffered injuries after being attacked by a pit bull in the ER.

"These events are so common that they are normalized and are rarely if ever acknowledged by FHA management and leadership," the lawsuit alleges.

Fraser Health told CBC News it does not comment on matters that are before the courts.

When CBC News asked about violent incidents, the authority responded with a statement. 

"We are deeply concerned about the violent incidents that occurred at Eagle Ridge Hospital in November 2024 and January 2025 and the impact it had on staff and medical staff," the authority said in the statement.

"In March 2025, we increased security staffing in the Emergency Department at Eagle Ridge Hospital in direct response to recent violent incidents. We also strengthened training for site security and increased on-the-floor coaching to ensure staff are fully prepared to respond effectively."

Treacy, 37, was working a night shift in ERH's emergency department in January 2025 when a man threatened staff by yelling and wielding a large machete. Treacy said she called security and assisted her colleagues in evacuating patients from the area.

She then spoke to several media outlets, saying the incident led her to fear for her own safety and that of her colleagues and patients. She said the same standard of security should be in place at ERH as there is at larger hospitals in the region.