Hanover infirmary now under CCTV monitoring

WESTERN BUREAU:

The safety and care of more than 50 residents of the more than 100-year-old Hanover Infirmary in Lucea, Hanover, is now under greater scrutiny. Thanks to the use of the latest technology, they are now being monitored by 16 closed-circuit cameras.

The system, which is much-welcomed, was installed at a cost of $949,000 by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development.

Portfolio minister Desmond McKenzie was pleased yesterday when he addressed the launch of a Local Government Month workday at the institution. According to him, there are more than 2,000 persons in infirmaries across the island relying on the State for support and protection.

"As a country, we need to become more responsive, more understanding, and more committed to the needs of these people," said McKenzie, while noting that the theme of Local Government Month 2018 is 'Protecting the Poor: Advancing Their Cause Through Local Governance'.

The minister also outlined some of the things that have been recently done at the Hanover Infirmary. He said that the latest addition was historic, as it was the first infirmary with a closed-circuit monitoring system. He also pointed out that 32 energy-efficient lighting fixtures had been put in and around the buildings and the general compound.

MONITORING INTRUDERS, WORKERS

"We have done that not just to look for those who are uninvited who would want to invade the privacy of the compound, but we also put it in so that we can monitor those who are working in our infirmaries," said McKenzie. "There is no hiding that some people who have been employed to administer care in our infirmaries should never be in the infirmaries because they abuse the residents, and somebody has to keep an eye. That is why we have gone that far."

The minister said that other improvement works, which include improvements in its physical appearance and the installation of smoke detectors, are to be carried out at the facility.

The workday at the Hanover Infirmary involved the painting of areas on the compound and the feeding and grooming of residents, among other things. Several mayors from other municipal corporations, along with several local government employees from across the island, participated.