Illegal drug dealing in the Royal Victoria hospital is taking place on a daily basis, according to a Belfast trust director.
Details emerged at a special meeting of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) this week where councillors heard concerns over “disturbing” drug activity at the Royal.
Councillors heard that sniffer dogs are being used by the PSNI to catch drug dealers in the Emergency Department (ED) with the illegal activity also said to be taking place throughout the hospital site “at any time”.
A trust security move is also being made for staff to have body worn cameras to combat the “continuing problem”.
- Measles case diagnosed at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital as 300 people contacted by trustOpens in new window
- ‘Toxic’ environment and overcrowding in RVH Emergency Department, report findsOpens in new window
- New Children’s Hospital in Belfast won’t open until 2030, despite £184m spend so farOpens in new window
Lisburn North DUP councillor, Jonathan Craig said: ”It has been in the news about illegal drug dealing at the A&E down at the Royal, which is very, very disturbing.
”There has also been ongoing attacks on staff and you do see that the trust has introduced a few measures around that.
”I witnessed it first hand and I must say I smiled to myself when I saw the action taken and it was very effective.
”But with regards to the drug dealing, there is CCTV within the facility, so I’ll ask an obvious question, how closely do you work with the likes of the PSNI around that.
”Because, I am sure that was not a one off situation that somebody witnessed.
“It probably goes on much more regularly than any of us wish to believe.”
Independent councillor Gary Hynds said along with anti-social behaviour there is the “disturbing thing about drug dealing, it was reported about needles being found in the baby changing rooms and the disabled toilets.”
Belfast trust, director of performance, planning and informatics, Alastair Campbell told the council: “We work with the PSNI who lead on any investigations. There is a zero tolerance policy.”We have regular meetings with the local superintendent.
“We have even had (sniffer) dogs in the ED on occasion in relation to drugs and around the other sites.
”It is not just the ED, unfortunately it is all around the site of the hospital.
”It’s a continuing problem, it really is. If you go into the ED at any time you are likely to witness some behaviour and it is just important not to tolerate it.
”There is now a possibility of staff having body worn cameras and we are working on a pilot scheme for that.
”There are more details of steps we are taking, but I would have to speak to councillors after the meeting.”
