1 bag, 1 support person: Royal Alex introduces new emergency department rules

The Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton. (Galen McDougall/CTV News Edmonton)

Patients and visitors of the Royal Alexandra Hospital emergency department are now only allowed to bring in one bag and one support person.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) says the policy is meant to increase workplace safety and reduce the number of tripping hazards, while ensuring there is seating space for patients and their support people.

Extra bags will be stored by the security team if required, which will also be checking all bags for weapons or prohibited items.

The bag policy will not apply to medical devices and child-care items.

As for limiting the number of support people, this “will help reduce noise and provide more room for those who need to be there,” AHS said.

Staff can grant exceptions for patients “requiring additional support.”

Questions can be directed to the Patient Relations department either online or by phone.

The change follows an assault in the hospital’s emergency department in early April. The Alberta government has said it is speeding up the implementation of a security plan for the hospital.