Minister Says Security Review at Princess Margaret Hospital Underway

Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, says a review of security arrangements at the Princess Margaret Hospital in St. Thomas, is being undertaken following the invasion of the facility by gunmen early Friday morning (July 31).
The Minister visited the Hospital Friday, and met with staff and patients who were present during the incident, as well as the management of the facility.
Mr. Spencer expressed his regret at the incident, and said he was happy that the staff was not harmed. He also thanked them for their bravery in ensuring that other patients were protected.
“We will be looking into any additional measures we can take, in partnership with the police, to improve the security at the hospital. We have arranged for counselling for the staff and I’m happy that no one was physically harmed,” he said.

Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, speaking with the CEO of the Princess Margaret Hospital, St. Thomas, Colleen Wright, while Senior Medical Officer, Dr. Cecil Batchelor, looks on during his tour of the hospital on Friday, following an invasion of the premises by armed men.

The Minister assured the staff that the Health Ministry will do all it can to ensure their safety, and that of the customers who visit the facility.
“The safety of our staff and customers is a priority of the Ministry. We will therefore do all we can to ensure this,” he said.
Chairman of the South East Regional Health Authority(SEHRA), Lyttleton Shirley, also met with the staff Friday, and outlined some of the measures the Region will be taking, with immediate effect, to increase security at the hospital.
Mr. Shirley said the measures include the grilling of all entrances on the building, a buzzer system to be installed and perimeter fencing to be put in place on a phased basis.
“We have met with the staff at the hospital, and assured them that measures will be put in place immediately to secure the physical structure of the facility. We will then review what has been put in place to ensure that it is adequate,” Mr. Shirley said.