New safety measures in place at Winston Scott Polyclinic Monday

Starting Monday, March 25, persons visiting the Winston Scott Polyclinic, at Jemmotts Lane, St Michael, will encounter a number of new measures being instituted to safeguard both staff and patients at the facility.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness announced today that the polyclinic, which has been closed since last Thursday, after two violent incidents on the compound, will open to the public at 10 a.m. on Monday.  The late opening is to facilitate a staff meeting to update the workers on the measures being put in place.

From Monday, entry into and out of the polyclinic will be through the main door at the front of the building only.  There will be electronic access controlled by the security guard who will manage the flow of patients into the facility.

Once inside the polyclinic, the security guard will scan persons, using a wand, and direct them to where they need to be.

Further, there will be a limit placed on the number of persons who can accompany the person seeking care.  Children may be accompanied by one caregiver, and this will also apply to adults who may need assistance, including the physically and mentally challenged as well as the elderly.  Discretion will be used in respect of emergency cases.

These are the first set of a number of security measures proposed for the polyclinic and the ministry has given the assurance that similar safety measures will be rolled out at all other polyclinics over time.

The ministry has warned that there will be some delays next week as the new system is implemented.  It has appealed for the cooperation of everyone who utilizes the services at the polyclinic as it upgrades the system to ensure the safety of both staff and patients. (BGIS)