Letter: Hospital security
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: I would like to comment on your dramatic account of the report on hospital security (12 May).
Nobody can afford to underestimate the impact of assaults and theft within the NHS. Indeed, it was precisely to try to quantify, and then to draw attention to, these problems that we commissioned the report and publicised its findings. In your article you reported estimated loss of pounds 600m a year but one of the authors of the report, Sheena Carmichael, said that it was not possible to make an accurate assessment. There was no figure of pounds 600m in the report. I understand this figure was based on an extrapolation from the retail sector, which is not comparable with the NHS in that 70 per cent of the NHS costs are in staffing, and not consumables.
However, we are determined that all managers place security at the top of their agendas and we have asked them to review all their crime-prevention procedures. We do not want hospitals to to turned into formidable fortresses, bristling with security devices and uniformed guards. That would seriously harm the ethos of caring that pervades the NHS. But we do want all equipment to be accounted for, and all premises to be secure and safe for both patients and staff.
Yours faithfully,
CUMBERLEGE
Under Secretary of State for Health (Lords)
Department of Health
London, SW1
12 May
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments