SEVERAL serious assaults have been perpetrated on staff in University Hospital Kerry’s accident and emergency department and additional security has been sanctioned to help cope with the threat.
The matter has been highlighted by Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae who said he raised the assaults with Health Minister, Simon Harris, when seeking extra resources for increased security.
“In the past there were only security staff at the entrance to the department but this was not acceptable as a number of serious assaults have taken place inside in the actual A&E itself,” he said
“Time is of essence in intervening and trying to be of assistance to people who are been assaulted”.
Deputy Healy-Rae said the hospital currently has two security officers on duty, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to cover the whole hospital site but an additional eight hours of security cover, from 6pm to 2am, has been sanctioned for within the emergency department,
Hospital management have also undertaken a security audit and are awaiting recommendations.
“The hospital has also engaged proactively with an Garda Siochana locally and regular meetings are now taking place. The local Hospital Watch committee has also been restarted,” the Kerry TD pointed out.
“The protection of the users of the hospital and the people working within it is of paramount importance to all of us,” Deputy Healy-Rae stated.
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