Officers in Enniskillen were delighted to be able to present some hi-viz vests to the South West Acute Hospital this week.
Sergeant Lauren McFarland explains how the donation came about: “I had noticed that quite a few members of staff who work at the SWAH like to make their journey to work on foot. This can involve them walking on the road for parts of their journey and many were doing so during the late evening, or during periods of low light, without any suitable hi-visibility clothing, which would make them more apparent to approaching motorists.
Having identified the potential risk to those staff members, I reached out to Alan Crooks from our local PCSP to highlight my concerns and explore ways we could help. Consequently, we were able to secure funding to purchase a number of hi-viz vests for staff members who walk to work, to help ensure they can be seen by motorists and kept safe on their journey to the SWAH.
I was delighted to join Inspector Gary Irvine, our local Road Safety lead, to present the vests to Professor O’Hare to distribute to those staff who need them.”
Professor Ronan O’Hare, Deputy Medical Director, Western Trust said: “I am very grateful to Inspector Gary Irvine and Sergeant Lauren McFarland for providing a number of high viz vests which will be distributed to our health care workers who, due to shift patterns may be walking from the hospital, during late evenings. This kind gesture from our colleagues in the local policing service will ensure that our staff are safe and seen by other road users. Thank you very much for helping to support and protect our valuable health care workers as they make their way to and from the hospital site, this is very much appreciated.”
Inspector Irvine added: “Sixty-nine people died on Northern Ireland’s roads in 2024, 8 of whom were pedestrians. These numbers are more than simply statistics, they are individuals who left home and never returned and that is why reducing deaths and serious injury on our roads is a priority for us.
It’s important that we each do everything we can to keep ourselves and others safe on our roads, and so I am extremely pleased to join Sergeant McFarland in presenting these hi-viz vests to our incredible healthcare workers.”
Pictured from left to right are: Inspector Gary Irvine, Sergeant Lauren McFarland, presenting high viz vests to Professor Ronan O’Hare, Deputy Medical Director, Western Trust and Gemma Leonard, Support Services, South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen.