Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise launches Hospital Watch: proactive crime prevention programme in partnership with An Garda Síochana
10th July 2025: Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise has officially launched Hospital Watch, a proactive crime prevention programme in the hospital setting. Similar to a residential Neighbourhood Watch scheme, it operates as a partnership between An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive, all patients, staff and visitors.
Olivia Lafferty, Director of Nursing at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise and Garda Sergeant Orla Nolan from the Community Policing Unit launched the initiative this week with staff and public information and engagement stands.
Olivia Lafferty, Director of Nursing at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise commented: “Hospitals are unique locations and consequently face some distinctive security problems. Crime committed in such an environment can be very traumatic for patients, visitors and staff and every effort needs to be made to prevent and reduce this
This is an exciting development for Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise as we are building up and strengthening our partnership with An Garda Síochana to support our hospital in preventing crime. Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise is not just a hospital but a community with over 1,000 staff across many different disciplines, in-patients, out-patients and day case patients - not to mention the many visitors who come through our doors every day. As a hospital, we are committed to this programme and to reducing crime and fear of crime in our hospital environment.”
Garda Sergeant Orla Nolan, Community Policing Unit stated: “Hospital Watch is a crime prevention programme which embodies the principles of partnership, problem solving, engagement and crime prevention. By engaging in this programme, we aim to:
- Reduce crime and fear of crime in a hospital environment.
- Promote crime prevention awareness among hospital staff and service users.
- Facilitate engagement, partnership and problem solving with hospital staff.”
How can you help?
Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise is asking all patients, staff and visitors to:
- BE AWARE
- BE ALERT
- BE SECURE
- BE INFORMED
- BE RESPECTFUL
Take responsibility for your personal safety and property. If you notice anything suspicious report it immediately to hospital personnel or the Gardaí. Always respect the doctors, nurses, hospital staff, patients, visitors and service users.
Your Personal Safety
- Always be aware of your surroundings.
- Always use well-lit areas & avoid dark/isolated locations when coming to and from the hospital.
- Do not get involved in other people’s disputes. Hospital personnel or the Gardaí will deal with these situations.
Your Property
- Have you secured/locked your vehicle?
- Have you left any property on view in your vehicle?
- If a secure locker has been provided to you, use it.
- Do not leave your valuables unattended.
- Record your phone IMEI number. This can be obtained by dialling *#06#.
- Exercise caution when accessing open WiFi connections, particularly for internet banking and/or other sensitive online activities.
Photo Captions:
1) L-R: Dan Sheehy, Garda; Joe Culliton, Garda Inspector; Dr John Connaughton, Clinical Director, MRHP; Olivia Lafferty, Director of Nursing, Hospital Watch Co-ordinator MRHP; Mary Fitzpatrick, QPS, Deputy Hospital Watch Co-ordinator, MRHP; John Joyce, General Manager, MRHP; Orla Nolan, Garda Sergeant; and Billy O'Connor, Garda.
2) L-R: Tara Furlong, CNM2 ED; Patrice Lawler, NSM; John Joyce, General Manager; Clare Walsh, CNM3; and Joe Dunne, cANP from Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.
