The Manitoba Nurses Union is raising concerns about security at rural health facilities after a nurse was attacked on Tuesday.
Two nurses at the health centre in Hamiota were locked in a room by a patient, who also assaulted one of them, said RCMP.
The man left the scene in a stolen vehicle but was arrested later on Highway 83, said officers.
The MNU said this isn't the first time concerns have been raised.
"We've been concerned a long time about our nurses working in the rural areas who are somewhat isolated," said Sandi Mowat, president of the MNU.
While hospitals in Winnipeg have security guards on duty, many smaller hospitals outside the city do not and the MNU said that puts people at risk.
The MNU said that in addition to suggesting stationing a security guard at facilities, they've suggested a panic button nurses can wear so they can always reach the RCMP in case of emergency.
The local health authority in Hamiota and the province said they take nurses' concerns seriously, but changes take time.
"It won't just have implications for just this site - all of our rural facilities are similar so whatever comes of this hopefully we can apply across the system," said Penny Gilson, CEO of the Assiniboine Regional Health Authority.
The nurse who was attacked in Hamiota is expected to make a full recovery and the facility's emergency plan is now being reviewed.
- with a report from CTV's Nancy Carlson
