NUPW welcomes QEH security upgrade plan but says it’s not enough

The National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) is welcoming moves by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) to bolster security for staff and patients, but says more modern and effective tools are needed to deal with the current wave of violence.

Deputy General Secretary Wayne Walrond told Barbados TODAY that while the union supports efforts to increase security personnel, provide additional training, and introduce body-worn cameras and batons, those measures may not go far enough

“We are happy that they are pursuing additional staff, the idea of enhanced training, getting some restraints and some other equipment [for] officers in a manner that they would be better able to respond to difficult situations,” Walrond said.

“We welcome the QEH for taking these measures, and the NUPW will continue to work with the QEH and on behalf of the security staff to ensure that they are protected and they are able to produce more enhanced security… and ensure safety within that institution.”

However, he stressed that in light of the country’s worsening crime climate, batons alone may be outdated.

“Given the level and nature of violence and crime we are dealing with right now, they need to look at other options besides the baton,” Walrond said.

“Definitely, they should look at other options. For example, well, taser gun because you’ve got to be equipped in a way to both protect yourself and to create safety for the patients and those conducting business at the QEH.”

“You need seriously to look at more relevant, modern equipment within the law that has permitted security to do so, so that they can enhance security and protect themselves.”

The NUPW official’s comments follow recent remarks by QEH CEO Neil Clark, who told Barbados TODAY that the hospital was actively recruiting for ten vacant security posts and had already held discussions with the police force about providing officers with batons, restraints, and body cameras.

“There are some vacancies in the security team. I think there are ten vacancies, and we’re out to recruit for those, so hopefully that will be addressed,” Clark said. “So, I have the posts, the posts have been approved, and I can recruit to those posts, and that’s active recruitment.”

“I’ve also asked about giving the security team body cams, which gives them a little bit of protection and a little bit of overview of what’s happening on the ground. And after any incident, there’s a clear indication of what happened.”

His comments came less than two weeks after two nurses were attacked by a patient on a psychiatric ward– an incident that sparked fresh calls for better security on hospital premises, and led the Barbados Nurses Association to suggest the introduction of panic buttons on wards.

Clark said that option was also being reviewed. (SM)