Leading hospital tightens security with safety initiative

A NEIGHBOURHOOD watch-type security scheme has been introduced at one of the country’s busiest regional hospitals in a bid to tighten security.

Waterford Regional Hospital is the first hospital in the south-east to benefit from the new hospital watch programme, South Eastern Health Board chairman councillor Seamus Ryan said.

Modern hospitals like Waterford Regional Hospital have considerable potential for crime with good accessibility, 24-hour services and its sheer size, he said.

“Crime committed in a healing and caring environment can be doubly traumatic for patients, visitors and staff and the hospital is making every effort to prevent and reduce the opportunity for crime,” he said.

“The hospital safety and security programme known as hospital watch, is similar to neighbourhood watch.

"It will act as a crime prevention programme using the knowledge and alertness of the staff, the development and introduction of good security and regular communication between staff and gardaí to minimise the opportunity for crime in our hospital.

“The introduction of this programme will help make these vital and vulnerable hospital environments a safer and less stressful place to be in for everybody,” he added.

Mr Ryan paid tribute to all of the staff on the hospital watch committee for getting this project off the ground.

The committee represents all categories of staff in the hospital and also includes garda liaison and crime prevention staff.