LAUNCH OF HOSPITAL WATCH PROGRAMME
25 Nov 2004

CRUMLIN HOSPITAL LAUNCHES HOSPITAL WATCH

A Hospital Watch Programme was launched at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children Crumlin (OLHSC) on Thursday, 25th November 2004 at 11.30am by Assistant Garda Commissioner, Al Mc Hugh.

Aimed at preventing crime within hospital grounds and at protecting patients, staff and visitors, Hospital Watch is a hospital security initiative coordinated and run by staff in partnership with An Garda Síochána.  It will examine security and safety issues, promote crime prevention and provide communication channels with the Gardai.

Speaking at the launch today Chief Executive, Gerard O'Dwyer said, "that a key priority at the hospital is to protect patients and staff."

"Hospital Watch will allow Ireland's largest children's hospital to promote an increased sense of security, safety and protection for our children, staff, visitors and also our hospital premises," said Mr O'Dwyer. "The programme requires the commitment of everyone on site and we thank An Garda Siochana for their involvement."

Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children Crumlin is an acute paediatric teaching employing 1200 staff with annual patient attendances in excess of 100,000.  It is Ireland's largest paediatric hospital and is responsible for the provision of the majority of tertiary care services for children and medical research for childhood illnesses.

The OLHSC Hospital Watch Committee comprising representatives from all services within the hospital campus and An Garda Siochana is now established and working at the hospital.