Illegal drug dealing or drug use has been recorded at healthcare buildings at Northern Ireland’s 5 regional well being and social care trusts trusts.
It follows a BBC News NI investigation in 2024 which discovered elevated incidents of drug dealing on the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
Each was requested if it has been a problem of concern throughout its websites, with most saying it had skilled ‘low ranges’ of reviews.
All trusts mentioned they remained vigilant for anti-social behaviour and drug-related exercise.
There are 5 regional well being trusts in Northern Ireland: Belfast, Southern, South Eastern, Northern, and Western.
The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust mentioned it continued to document “very low ranges of drug associated exercise throughout all our websites”.
It mentioned it had a zero-tolerance strategy, labored carefully with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), and inspired employees to report points.
The Western Health and Social Care Trust mentioned there have been “very small numbers of drug associated exercise” at its hospital websites.
“Staff stay vigilant for any anti-social behaviour together with drug-related exercise on our hospital websites and we work carefully with PSNI colleagues on such points,” a spokesperson mentioned.
The Northern Health and Social Care Trust advised BBC News NI it had reported fewer than 5 incidents every year since 2020.
“We should not conscious of any latest escalation in this sort of exercise at any of our belief websites,” a spokesperson mentioned.
“Anti-social behaviour of any form has no place in our hospitals or emergency departments the place employees are doing all they will to supply care to these in want.
“We proceed to work with the PSNI to deal with any issues which will come up.”
The Southern Health & Social Care Trust mentioned they aren’t conscious of any latest escalation of the problem, however advised BBC News NI they’d had one allegation of drug dealing on its hospital websites within the final 3 years, and the PSNI have been knowledgeable.
“We should not conscious of any latest escalation in this sort of exercise on our hospital grounds. Our safety porters stay vigilant for any uncommon behaviour round websites, and can take applicable motion and escalate as obligatory,” a spokesperson mentioned.
Former policing board member councillor Jonathan Craig described it as “deeply alarming and stunning”.
Speaking on Evening Extra, Craig mentioned the council had been “met with a wall of silence” across the situation.
Craig referred to as on trusts “to be extra proactive” in coping with this.
Craig mentioned he went to A&E along with his 85-year-old father and wouldn’t need him to be round medication.
“I would not wish to assume that I must sit there and watch these individuals doing this form of factor whereas somebody as weak as that’s sitting there.”
Issues on the Royal Victoria Hospital – which is within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust – have been raised with the PSNI, resulting in elevated patrols and police canine in emergency departments.
There has additionally been the suggestion of employees carrying physique cams.
The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust mentioned it was “involved about a rise in delinquent behaviour together with drug utilization and drug dealing”.
“We are working carefully with PSNI colleagues and local people representatives to deal with this worrying pattern,” it added.
“We would ask everybody to please be respectful of your hospitals and neighborhood websites to assist maintain them protected locations for your loved ones and mates.”
