Mercy University Hospital (MUH) today launched Hospital Watch, a proactive crime prevention programme in hospital settings. Similar to a residential Neighbourhood Watch scheme, Hospital Watch operates as a partnership between An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive, Mercy University Hospital (MUH) staff, patients and visitors with the aim of preventing crime within the hospital setting.

Sandra Daly, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mercy University Hospital (MUH) and Chief Superintendent Barry McPolin launched the initiative this morning with an address to staff and an information stand to promote the programme.

Sandra Daly, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mercy University Hospital (MUH) commented:

A day such as today is very exciting for Mercy University Hospital (MUH) as we are building up and strengthening our partnership with An Garda Síochána to support our hospital in preventing crime.  The safety of our patients, and our staff, is paramount and we would be failing in our duty of care to both if we did not seek to address this complex issue in a values-based, multi-agency, collaborative fashion.  As a hospital, we are 100% committed to this programme led by the Hospital Watch Working Group and the roll out of this programme has already has had a positive effect for our service users and our staff.  The success of Hospital Watch can only be achieved through partnership and in that regard; I wish to acknowledge the valuable engagement and collegiality afforded by An Garda Síochána.

Chief Superintendent Barry McPolin, Cork City Division stated:

I am delighted to be present for the official launch of Hospital Watch in partnership with the Mercy University Hospital. An Garda Síochána has always worked closely with our colleagues in MUH and this initiative puts this relationship on a formal footing.  MUH is uniquely situated in a busy, inner-city environment and we are delighted to support MUH and assist with creating a safer environment for both hospital staff and the community it serves.  Similar to schemes such as Neighbourhood Watch, Hospital Watch aims to promote crime prevention awareness among staff and service users to reduce crime and fear of crime in the hospital environment

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