Staff at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children (OLHSC) in Crumlin have welcomed an initiative aimed at making the country's largest children's hospital safer for patients and staff.
The Hospital Watchscheme, which was launched this morning by Assistant Garda Commisioner Al McHugh, is aimed at protecting patients and staff, examining security issues in the hospital.
Speaking at the launch, the hospital's chief executive, Mr Gerard O'Dwyer said the "key priority at the hospital is to protect patients and staff." He added that the scheme will "promote an increased sense of security, safety and protection for our children, staff, visitors and also our hospital premises.
"The programme requires the commitment of everyone on site and we thank An Garda Síochána for their involvement," he added.
The hospital is also the National Referral Centre for cancer, haematology and heart surgery and is central to the training of medical students from all over the country.
It employs 1,200 staff, caring for 100,000 patients each year and is responsible for the vast majority of tertiary care provided to children and medical research for their illnesses.
