CRIMES IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS' PRECINCTS

Legislative Assembly of Singapore · 22 April 1958 · 1st Legislative Assembly

Official Report, 22 April 1958, Vol 6, Issue 2 · Open in the reader (summaries, search, filters)

A. J. BragaLim Cher Kheng
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Mr Lim Cher Kheng asked the Minister for Health to give details of the crimes which have been committed within the precincts of Government Hospitals since 1957, and to state what steps have been taken for the protection of the Nurses and other members of the Hospital staff.

Mr A. J. Braga: General Hospital:

(1) On 28-12-57 an unknown person entered the Nurses' Hostel at night and injured a nurse with a sharp instrument - injury not serious - motive unknown.

(2) On 8-3-58 a Laboratory Assistant who was in company with a Nurse in a secluded dark area in the hospital ground was fatally attacked by a person or persons unknown.

Kandang Kerbau Hospital:

(1) On 16-12-57 an intruder entered a temporary pupil midwife's quarters and stole some personal effects.

Tan Tock Seng Hospital:

(1) On 7-1-58 in the course of a fight between some unknown persons and the hospital staff a male adult was found dead with stab wounds in his body.

(2) Few petty thefts committed in the Nurses' Hostel.

Trafalgar Home:

(1) Minor incidents, such as fights amongst inmates and some visitors.

Steps taken for protection

  1. In the General Hospital action has been taken to have the barbed wire fence around the Nurses' Hostel raised to 7 feet. Police whistles have been given to the watchmen in the hostel. Police are patrolling the grounds of the hospital more frequently. Nurses have been warned not to frequent unlit areas at night.

  2. In the Kandang Kerbau Hospital, the numbers of Watchmen have been increased to afford greater security to the hospital staff.

  3. In the Tan Tock Seng Hospital increased lighting to roads and paths used by the staff to and from their quarters and the wards have been provided. Increased and additional lighting of perimeter of quarters occupied by nurses and residential staff living in hospital precincts have also been provided. Windows of Nurses's Quarters which have not the protection of a chain link fence have been provided with wire mesh.

  4. In the Trafalgar Home internal discipline has been tightened.

Source: Singapore Parliament Official Report (Hansard) for 22 April 1958. Republished on SGParliament.