Healthcare union is working to help family of nurse and ensure hospital staff is safe and supported
Brooklyn, NY- The following statement is from 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the union that represents Evelyn Lynch, the nurse who was recently assaulted, and other healthcare workers at Brookdale Hospital. The union will be holding a vigil for Evelyn on Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 6-9 pm at the hospital, and interviews can be coordinated through the contact information above.
“We are sending our deepest heartfelt thoughts and prayers to 70 year-old Registered Nurse and 1199SEIU member Evelyn Lynch and her family. Evelyn was severely beaten by a patient at Brookdale Hospital in Brooklyn on Friday, February 7th, and is in critical condition. Evelyn has devoted her life to providing quality care to the community and she is beloved by her patients and co-workers. It is our strong hope that Evelyn recovers, and we are developing ways to support her and her family during this very tragic and trying time.
“Our officers and staff have been meeting with members at Brookdale, along with all our support teams, including social workers who will be providing post-trauma counseling. In addition, we are working to ensure Brookdale staff are safe now and over the long term. This will include a review of past incidents of assault and current policies, and then new proposals to increase safety and security. In order to ensure an ongoing method of identifying and reducing risks to patients and workers, we believe that establishing an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Injury and Illness Prevention Program (I2P2) is the best long term solution for the hospital.
“In addition, we must make sure that vital safety-net hospitals such as Brookdale in underserved communities receive proper support and funding from the state so they can provide adequate security and safe staffing levels on the floors. Unfortunately, an extremely high percentage of occupational assaults occur in healthcare settings. Frontline nurses and healthcare workers deserve a safe and violence-free work environment.”
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1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest union in New York and the largest healthcare union in the nation. We represent over 220,000 nurses and healthcare workers in New York City, and over 400,000 total members throughout New York State, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida.
Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
Brooklyn, NY- The following statement is from 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the union that represents Evelyn Lynch, the nurse who was recently assaulted, and other healthcare workers at Brookdale Hospital. The union will be holding a vigil for Evelyn on Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 6-9 pm at the hospital, and interviews can be coordinated through the contact information above.
“We are sending our deepest heartfelt thoughts and prayers to 70 year-old Registered Nurse and 1199SEIU member Evelyn Lynch and her family. Evelyn was severely beaten by a patient at Brookdale Hospital in Brooklyn on Friday, February 7th, and is in critical condition. Evelyn has devoted her life to providing quality care to the community and she is beloved by her patients and co-workers. It is our strong hope that Evelyn recovers, and we are developing ways to support her and her family during this very tragic and trying time.
“Our officers and staff have been meeting with members at Brookdale, along with all our support teams, including social workers who will be providing post-trauma counseling. In addition, we are working to ensure Brookdale staff are safe now and over the long term. This will include a review of past incidents of assault and current policies, and then new proposals to increase safety and security. In order to ensure an ongoing method of identifying and reducing risks to patients and workers, we believe that establishing an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Injury and Illness Prevention Program (I2P2) is the best long term solution for the hospital.
“In addition, we must make sure that vital safety-net hospitals such as Brookdale in underserved communities receive proper support and funding from the state so they can provide adequate security and safe staffing levels on the floors. Unfortunately, an extremely high percentage of occupational assaults occur in healthcare settings. Frontline nurses and healthcare workers deserve a safe and violence-free work environment.”
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1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest union in New York and the largest healthcare union in the nation. We represent over 220,000 nurses and healthcare workers in New York City, and over 400,000 total members throughout New York State, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida.
Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
