Hospital security under question (From Penarth Times)

Hospital security under question

PENARTH'S biggest hospital has come under fire following a major security scare.

Questions have been raised over the safety of patients at Llandough by the family of a six-year-old who tried to escape from the building.

Cancer sufferer Georgia Hingston was so homesick she tried to make her own way home to Ely to see her loved ones.

The schoolgirl who has spent long periods in hospital due to her illness made a dash from the Eileen Thompson Ward at 5 am one morning - even though her grandfather was asleep in the chair at the side of the bed.

She walked down the corridor and made her way to the reception where she asked for a taxi.

The receptionist immediately realised something was wrong and Georgia was soon back in her bed.

Her family were furious that their child could have got so close to escaping.

One member said: "Although Georgia was returned safely, this situation could be have been much worse if Georgia has actually managed to escape.

She is not well enough to be roaming the streets.

Due to the cancer she is losing her sight and the medication affects her balance."

The hospital claim that the possibility of Georgia actually leaving the premises is remote and that the situation was dealt with quickly and safely.

A spokesman for Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust told the Times:

"The absence of the child on the ward was spotted immediately by nursing staff, who contacted security and took immediate action to find her.

"The receptionist alerted the ward staff and the child was returned to her bed in a short space of time.

"This occurrence has not happened before and a detailed investigation has begun to look into this issue and to identify any further action."