Women guard Sando hospital

Doctors throughout the South West Regional Health Authority’s (SWRHA) facilities, including the hospital, walked off the job on Tuesday evening after two doctors were assaulted in separate incidents.

The latest attack occurred on Monday when Dr Dexter Furlonge was assaulted in the hospital’s carpark. This prompted a walkout on Tuesday, with doctors demanding increased security guards and police patrols on the compound. When Newsday visited the hospital’s compound yesterday, five security guards were stationed at each of the hospital’s entrances and exits and at the carpark. Another five were stationed at the Accident and Emergency (AE) Department, with at least three patrolling the compound. Most of them were women.

However, there were no police officers.

MPATT vice president Dr Rajendra Persad confirmed the increased security personnel at AE. “We are satisfied with what we have seen so far and are hopeful that the ministry follows through with the rest of it’s promises,” he said.

Among the recommendations agreed to by the Ministry of Health were the implementation of in-house security systems and the development of a comprehensive security action plan. Meanwhile, ASP Terry Archibald told Newsday yesterday any request for an increased police presence at the hospital would have to be forwarded to Commissioner of Police Trevor Paul.

However, he stated police officers would respond to any calls for assistance from the hospital’s security personnel.