Health Ministry to revamp hospital security

The Ministry of Health is moving to revamp the security arrangements at health facilities islandwide.

Addressing a press conference at the Health Ministry this morning, Mr. Spencer says a security plan has been developed which when implemented would result in enhanced security for patients and workers.

Mr. Spencer says the Health Ministry has identified a wide ranging plan which could include electronic surveillance.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Jean Dixon, who was also in attendance, outlined the Ministry's plans to secure public health facilities. 

“We are going to be inviting shortly tenders in keeping with the requirements for each facility noticing that some of our facilities have become soft targets and recognizing the nature of the service that we provide,”

“For example, the public must have access to Accident and Emergency unit of the hospital so the way that we secure that particular area will have to be different from the way we secure other areas of the hospital,” Mrs. Dixon said.

Mrs. Dixon says discussions have been held with the Regional Health Authorities.

The representatives will provide details on their respective security needs.

The plan to overhaul security arrangements follows a recent robbery at the Spanish Town Hospital in St. Catherine.

Three armed men entered one of the buildings and robbed a doctor and two nurses in full view of patients.

There have also been reports of gunmen invading several health institutions including the St Jago Health Centre, the Rollington Town Clinic, Kingston Public Hospital, Children's Hospital and the Princess Margaret Hospital.