Northern Ireland

Man 'taken to safety' after police called to GP surgery at Craigavon Area Hospital

Police were called to the out of hours GP unit at Craigavon Area Hospital. Picture: Alan Lewis, PhotopressBelfast.co.uk
Police were called to the out of hours GP unit at Craigavon Area Hospital. Picture: Alan Lewis, PhotopressBelfast.co.uk Police were called to the out of hours GP unit at Craigavon Area Hospital. Picture: Alan Lewis, PhotopressBelfast.co.uk

POLICE said a man was "taken to safety" at a GP surgery at Craigavon Area Hospital after emergency services were called yesterday morning.

Police and fire service crews attended the out of hours unit shortly after 8.30am.

A man was reported to be in a room containing potentially dangerous medical equipment and there were concerns for his well-being.

Part of the hospital grounds were cordoned off and traffic diverted during the incident which lasted for around two-and-a-half hours.

SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly thanked the emergency services and police for bringing the alert to a safe conclusion.

Police at the scene at Craigavon Area Hospital yesterday morning. Picture by Alan Lewis, PhotopressBelfast.co.uk
Police at the scene at Craigavon Area Hospital yesterday morning. Picture by Alan Lewis, PhotopressBelfast.co.uk Police at the scene at Craigavon Area Hospital yesterday morning. Picture by Alan Lewis, PhotopressBelfast.co.uk

"No-one was hurt and the vulnerable person is now getting the help he requires. It was a very worrying situation for staff and service users and an increasing sign of the times we live in," she said.

The Southern Health and Social Care Trust confirmed there had been an incident at the GP out of hours centre on the Craigavon Area Hospital site.

It stated: "Emergency services attended the incident, when concerns were raised about the well-being of a man who had entered the centre.

"Trust staff worked with the PSNI to bring the incident safely to an end. No-one was injured and the GP out of hours service will continue as normal.”

Inspector Gary Moore said police received a report of concern for the safety of a man at the hospital shortly after 8.35am.

“Police attended, along with other emergency services, and located the man at the out of hours GP surgery. The man was subsequently taken to safety and there have been no reports of any injuries,” he said.