Stricter measures in place following G/town hospital tragedies – Health Minister

After a 70-year-old man and a 22-year-old pregnant woman jumped to their deaths from their wards at the Georgetown Public Hospital recently, stricter measures to keep patients safe have been put in place, according to Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony.

The tragedies occurred in January and February, and Dr. Anthony said the installation of new, more secure windows is part of the immediate actions being taken to prevent any recurrences.

Dr. Anthony said that when the first such tragedy struck in January, he asked that all the windows be replaced with ones that comply with fire safety guidelines but still prevent patients from climbing through them easily. The installation of new windows was not complete when the second tragedy struck in February, so temporary barriers are being installed.

“We are very sorry for the loss of the patients, and we are trying to do our best to prevent anything from happening in the future. I think by barring the windows now, and eventually changing out all the windows, it would solve that problem,” Dr Anthony told the News Room.

Aside from the windows, Dr. Anthony said repairs are ongoing in the psychiatric ward. Patients there, some of whom are on suicide watch like the patients who died recently, have been relocated to another part of the hospital with stricter monitoring.