Dear Editor,
The management of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation has noted with interest the editorial in the Stabroek News issue of Monday, November 30, headlined, ‘The Nurse Houston incident and hospital security.’ The administration appreciates the interest shown by the newspaper in the affairs of the hospital. This is as it ought to be. However, in focusing on only what is wrong at the institution, the editor failed to recognize some critical aspects of the institution. These we shall now discuss.
First, it is clear that the thrust of the editorial was on effective security at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. The editor assumed that the Nurse Houston incident was indicative of poor security and with this management does not concur. In fact, though there were threats, confrontations and hostile attention in relation to the institution, that incident was the only one which occurred at the hospital in years. We do not seek to trivialize it. However, the point must be made that management has been doing all things practicable to improve security at the hospital. Nevertheless, we hasten to point out that our security depends on human personnel. It is imperfect. Therefore, the potential for slippages is ever present. Even military bases with their very strict security protocols experience such lapses at times. Therefore, we feel that the editor was unfair to the medical institution.
Second, the circumstances that surrounded that particular incident seemed to suggest that there is more to it than security. At the time of the incident, the security officer on duty stopped and questioned the person about his presence in the compound. However, he managed to persuade the officer that he was doing one of his usual visits. It is noteworthy that the hospital has noticed a trend of more female security officers than males. Consequently, those employed are the ones available for the job.
Third, the GPHC is conducting an investigation into the incident with a view to improving security at the institution. Management is in no way attempting to acquire scapegoats, but disciplinary measures had to be taken for a lapse in duty, hence the suspension of the officers who were on duty.
However, the editor must know that, hospital security is a unique challenge – a variety of people make up the hospital environment – patients, staff, physicians and visitors. Also, the buildings – many different rooms and spaces, high-value equipment, accessibility to drugs, many entrances and ease-of-movement around the building and premises – all have to be taken into account in any security plan.
Another significant problem with providing security for older hospitals is their inherently open design which makes them more difficult to secure. Traditionally hospitals have been designed for patient and family convenience.
Fundamentally, management is in the process of putting in place certain measures to further improve security at the hospital. These are policies and procedures; training and stricter supervision at strategic areas of the institution; and programmes and activities to promote security awareness among staff.
In the area of low tech options, we are working on increasing security barriers; lighting, landscaping, and security huts, inter alia. In the area of high-tech/sensitivity, management is contemplating access control systems, CCTV, two-way voice communications and weapons screening systems.
It must be noted however that these mechanisms cannot be implemented instantaneously; all measures to be taken must be channelled through the appropriate chain, approvals must be sought and granted, budgets must be created and services must be tendered.
Again, management thanks you for the interest in highlighting the issue of security protocols/policies at the hospital; however, a more balanced editorial would have been appreciated.
Yours faithfully,
A Proctor
Public Relations Office
Georgetown Public Hospital
Corporation