Better security sought at health centre

A LOCAL representative in South Galway is calling for greater security measures at the public health centre in Gort, following an alleged incident at the facility last week.

Galway County Councillor Bridie Willers made the comments after an alleged incident at the centre involving verbal abuse of staff on Thursday last.

“A client became very abusive towards a staff member, resulting in the gardaí being called to the premises on the Ennis Road,” said Councillor Willers.

“The incident left staff and members of the public, who were in the waiting room at the time, very traumatised,” she claimed.

Councillor Willers is now calling on the HSE and the Department of Social Protection to install CCTV and panic buttons in all public rooms as minimum security for their staff and the public. The Fine Gael councillor said it is “incredible that in this day and age basic security is not in place in this centre”.

Councillor Willers said, “At best this house is not fit for purpose but, unfortunately, despite campaigns down the years for a primary care centre in Gort, this was not delivered in the boom years so it’s highly unlikely that it will happen now. However, staff including public health nurses, a doctor, clerical staff, community welfare officers and physiotherapists, who are providing a very important service from this building as public servants, should not be subjected to this intolerable type of behaviour. Without minimum security protection, they are exposed to this on a daily basis,” she added.

“Surely the HSE and Department of Social Protection have a duty of care to their staff in the first instance,” Councillor Willers concluded.

Gardaí in Gort have confirmed they are investigating an alleged incident at the centre on Thursday last.