GPHC psychiatric ward installs window barriers – health minister

Last Updated on Thursday, 5 March 2026, 19:24 by Writer

Following incidents of two psychiatric ward patients jumping to their deaths at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), the healthcare facility is installing barriers on windows, health minister Dr Frank Anthony said.

The Government’s Department of Public Information (DPI) says the immediate measures are being implemented to strengthen patient safety and prevent self-harm.

Speaking on the sidelines of an event held at the Eccles Health Centre, East Bank Demerara, Dr Anthony said the Ministry of Health has already begun addressing structural vulnerabilities, with a focus on securing windows across the facility while maintaining fire safety requirements.

“I have given specific instructions to the hospital to put temporary barriers on all windows,” the minister was quoted as saying.

He noted that while a long-term solution is underway to replace windows with more secure designs, temporary barriers will be installed immediately to reduce risk.

According to him, the hospital had already initiated a process to modify windows after the first incident, but that effort has not yet been completed.

In the interim, additional safeguards are being introduced, he said.

The minister also pointed out that ongoing repairs to the psychiatric ward have required some patients to be housed in other areas of the hospital, prompting the need for heightened precautions.

Despite patients being placed under suicide watch, he acknowledged that both incidents occurred within brief moments when supervision was interrupted.

He emphasised that the new measures are intended to close those gaps and prevent any recurrence, while expressing regret over the loss of both patients.