Patient attacks 3 health-care workers at Halifax ER

Three employees at the Halifax Infirmary hospital were injured by a patient Wednesday, including two who were stabbed, sources tell CBC News.

Halifax Regional Police were called to the hospital, the region's largest, around 1 p.m. for a weapons complaint. Police took the patient into custody.

An email to staff from Nova Scotia Health CEO Karen Oldfield said the incident "has left many shaken." She said three people were injured by a patient in the emergency department.

Sandra Mullen, president of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union, said two of the union's members were injured, with one requiring in-patient care and the other having less serious injuries.

She said one of the injured union members works in support services and the other is part of "the health team," adding that neither are nurses. Mullen declined to provide further details on their jobs.

"We understand one person is in critical (care) and being attended to ... and the other two injuries are not as serious," she said.

The third person was not a member of her union, and she couldn't confirm what their position is.

Health Minister Michelle Thompson said in a statement there was a serious incident at the hospital and the "threat has been contained."

"I want to commend the staff at the Halifax Infirmary [emergency department] for their incredibly quick response," she told reporters in an online news conference.

"They activated help, they cared for their colleagues. I can't imagine the situation that they found themselves in today and I want to commend them for their response."

She said the patient had a weapon, but she couldn't give details on what it was.

For several hours following the attack, the emergency department was only accepting people with life-threatening emergencies.

Nova Scotia Health said normal operations resumed around 6 p.m.