PCSO at Prince Philip Hospital

A police presence is providing an extra level of visibility and engagement at a Llanelli hospital.

Dyfed Powys Police and Hywel Dda University Health Board is trialling having a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) based at Prince Philip Hospital.

The six month pilot will help the partners determine whether there is a quicker and more effective response to incidents at the hospital and reduce the number of calls to the police Communications Centre from the hospital.

PCSO Gary Payne has an office base at the hospital and carries out patrols in and around the hospital linking in with staff, patients and visitors.

Missing people, violence and theft are the most significant incidents at the hospital that PCSO Payne is already having an impact on.

PCSO Payne said: “I’ve been in post for two months and I’ve received only positive feedback from hospital staff, who say they feel safer seeing a uniformed presence. I’ve provided crime prevention advice to the hospital, which they have acted on, and I’m able to provide a quick response to incidents as they occur in the hospital.

“I’m seeing different faces every day who are visiting the hospital from all over Carmarthenshire and dealing with some difficult situations where emotions are heightened due to the stress of loved ones having health problems.

“My presence and intervention recently helped diffuse a family dispute, which I’m certain would have ended in an assault had I not been there to deal with the situation. I’ve also had input in tracing a patient who tampered with his prescription in an attempt to obtain extra medication.”

Superintendent Claire Parmenter said: “Analysis of calls we receive at Dyfed Powys Police indicated a high volume of calls received from Carmarthenshire hospitals. To provide extra support to our health partners, increase our visibility and to address the calls, we decided to trial a PCSO with a permanent base at Prince Philip Hospital. If this is deemed a success after six months consideration will be given to providing this increased service at our other hospitals.”

Director of Public Health for Hywel Dda University Health Board, Teresa Owen, added: “We’re pleased to be working with Dyfed-Powys Police to make improvements to the environment for both our patients and staff. Having PCSO Payne based at Prince Philip Hospital means our staff can concentrate on doing what they do best – providing high quality care for their patients.”

About PCSO Gary Payne:

He started as a PC in Llanelli in 1985 and served in various Carmarthenshire police stations in uniform, CID and roads policing roles. After nine years of service he was promoted to Sergeant.

In 2010 he retired as a police officer and became a PCSO based in Felinfoel covering Dafen, Swiss Valley and Felinfoel. He thoroughly enjoys the role.