Naas General Hospital relaunches Hospital Watch: Proactive crime prevention programme in partnership with An Garda Síochána
26th January 2024: Naas General Hospital (NGH) has relaunched 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, staff, patients and visitors with the aim of preventing crime within the hospital setting
Kieran Mc Donald, General Manager, Naas General Hospital said: “As we move through the Winter season and the dark evenings in particular, it is essential that we do what we can to ensure our campus is a safe space for all users. Naas General Hospital is not just a hospital but a community with over 1,000 staff across many different disciplines, in-patients, out-patients and day patients - not to mention the many visitors who come through our doors every day. As a hospital, we are committed to this programme and this is evident in the Hospital Watch Group who have been heavily involved in getting the project off the ground, with the support received throughout the hospital.”
Anne Murphy, Director of Nursing, Naas General Hospital commented: “Our NGH Hospital Watch Committee is working closely with Naas Gardaí as we continue to engage on keeping staff, patients and those that use the hospital campus safe. Plans are underway to ensure we are making the hospital crime free for all colleagues and the patients that we care for. We are delighted to further strengthen our community engagement and partner with An Garda Síochána on this important work.”
Garda Liaison Officer, Deirdre Davoren, stated: “Hospital Watch is a crime prevention programme which embodies the principles of partnership, problem solving, engagement and crime prevention. By engaging in this programme, we aim to:
- Prevent crime, in particular the fear of crime
- Promote crime prevention awareness among hospital staff and service users
- Facilitate engagement, partnership and problem solving with hospital staff
Photo Caption: Naas General Hospital Management and Hospital Watch Committee members with representatives of An Garda Síochána relaunching Hospital Watch, a proactive crime prevention programme in partnership with An Garda Síochána.
