The National Referral Hospital (NRH) will soon introduce new security measures following an increase in theft and security breaches in recent months.

In a statement, NRH said it will work closely with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) to enforce the proposed security measures.

The new set of revised measures are aimed to safeguard patients, staff, visitors and property within the hospital compound.

The management is also addressing overcrowding and unauthorised use of hospital facilities.

“The hospital is concerned that members of the public are using toilets and showers intended for patients, staff and authorised visitors. Markets operating along the hospital fence are also considered high-risk areas because they attract crowds and antisocial behaviour, including ‘play pass’”the statement said. 

Members of the public should expect to be turned away by security personnel from unauthorised areas of the hospital, particularly near infection-control zones and after hours.

Overnight stays beneath ward and clinic buildings are prohibited.

Some of the proposed security measures include:

• Install a CCTV system immediately to help security personnel monitor open-access points and high-risk areas across the compound.
• Share relevant CCTV footage with the RSIPF for technical advice and investigative purposes.
• Erect fencing to improve oversight of the compound, regulate pedestrian movement and prevent unauthorised entry. Fencing will be erected in the coming weeks. Although structural fencing could affect the appearance of the hospital by making it resemble a prison setting, security and safety take priority because the compound extends east and north towards the seafront.
• Strengthen day-to-day security operations in the following areas:
  • Car park management. Hours of car parking will be controlled and managed by timing.
  • Visitor management.
  • Operation of the CCTV system and monitoring of footage.
  • Regular patrols and a visible security presence in identified high-risk areas.
  • Access controls for designated rooms, wards and offices.
  • Identification, monitoring and reporting of suspicious behaviour, with prompt intervention when necessary.
  • Restricted movement within the hospital from 22:00 each day, except for hospital staff and authorised representatives accompanying transferred patients.
  • A limit of one relative per patient, except where special circumstances require additional support or assistance.