Metal detectors improve safety at SHA facilities

- Media Release, Gov’t SK

February 20, 2026

key points from this story:

• Metal detectors added at three facilities
• Now eight SHA sites use detectors
• Enhances safety for staff and patients
• Visitors must declare restricted items
• Lockers provided for safe item storage
• Hand wands and bins used for screening

Metal detectors have now been installed at the main doors of three more Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) facilities: Battlefords Union Hospital in North Battleford, Prince Albert Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert and the Regina Urgent Care Centre. Once all three new facilities are online by February 23, metal detectors will be in operation at eight health-care facilities in Saskatchewan, including the emergency room entrances at the five hospitals in Saskatoon and Regina.

Metal detectors support Protective Services in preventing weapons from entering facilities, enhancing safety and security for patients, visitors and health-care teams. They also mean a few things will change for those entering through doors where the metal detectors are located, especially those facilities where they are located at the main doors.

There are some things the public needs to know now about how they operate. First, all members of the public coming through the doors will be asked by protective services officers to declare if they have a restricted item on their person. Restricted items include duffle bags, luggage or food coolers, and weapons of any kind, including knives and other sharp objects, stun-guns, ammunition, explosives, flammables, bear spray, mace or aerosols. Spiritual or religious items are not restricted unless they pose a clear and immediate risk to the safety of patients, staff, or visitors.

If a restricted item is declared or detected during screening, Protective Services Officers will provide the person with the opportunity to remove the item from the facility or secure it in a designated locker before they are permitted to enter the building. Illegal items cannot be stored. Those who have stored items will received a claim ticket to present upon exit to retrieve the items from the locker. Individuals will then be asked to remove all metal from their pockets and person (including belts, keys and cell phones), place them in a bin provided, then proceed through the metal detector. An officer will also screen the contents of the bin and any bags they have with them. A hand-operated wand scanner may also be used to confirm that no prohibited items are entering the facility.