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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, Ja nu ar y 20 ,2 02 2 | 14 WE'LLBUY YOURGOLD 3325 Harvester Road, Burlington 905-639-6678 - barrysjewellers.com NEW LOCAT ION • GOLDANDDIAMOND JEWELLERY • GOLD,SILVERAND PLATINUM INANY CONDITION • GOLDAND SILVERCOINS,OLD PAPERMONEY • HIGHGRADEWATCHES, ROLEX, PATEK,CARTIER • PREMIUM PAID FORHIGH END JEWELLERY • DIAMONDSOVER 2 CTS More security guards have been hired by Halton Healthcare to deal with increas- ing aggression toward staff in the wake of longer pandemic-related wait times. The rise in "hostile behaviour" is direct- ly linked to an unprecedented increase in activity in HH hospitals, and an unfortu- nate change in public perception from staff being seen as heroes to being on the receiv- ing end of frustration for long wait times, said Laura Zilke, HH manager, communi- cations and public affairs. Such behaviour is seen most frequently in the emergency departments, but is not uncommon in other parts of the hospital, including the testing centre and screening desks when people are asked to adhere to infection prevention and control mea- sures, she said. "We recognize how stressful the current situation is for patients and families. Our teams continue to do their absolute best in a system which is overloaded. They contin- ue to offer incredible care and have done extraordinary work throughout the pan- demic." Zilke added that despite the current challenges, HH hospitals continue to be safe places to work and to receive care. Halton Healthcare includes Oakville, Milton and Georgetown hospitals. More security have been hired to deal with rising frustration among those seeking care. Graham Paine/Metroland AGGRESSION TOWARD HEALTH-CARE STAFF ON THE RISE KATHY YANCHUS kyanchus@metroland.com NEWS PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PAPER