Republican News · Thursday 27 February 2002

Special Branch delivers security blow to Royal Maternity

The Head of the PSNI's Special Branch has intervened in the consultation process that is to decide the location of the new Belfast maternity hospital.

Chris Albiston, who runs CID and Special Branch, wrote to the Department of Health just before Christmas arguing that "the previous occurrence of terrorist attacks" around the Royal and City Hospitals should be given "serious consideration" as a planning factor by decision-makers.

The PSNI is not on the Department's official list of groups to be consulted. In fact, even though the force is included on the list, the Equality Commission declined to issue any response on the grounds that it might prejudice the integrity of its office.

But the PSNI has never needed an invitation to throw its weight around. Clearly exceeding his brief, Albiston goes on to remark that "sectarian attacks, assaults and car crime" might be relevant.

The Ballymurphy Women's Centre has been actively campaigning on the issue, yet was left off the consultation list. Angry Chairperson Rosemary Lawlor said "we remain puzzled by the interference of this submission by the PSNI.

"Are they suggesting that all the major hospitals within inner city areas be shut down and relocated to isolated rural areas where crime statistics are lower?"

It is believed that a former RUC Health and Safety Officer may be among those involved in the Department of Health's consultation process and there are now fears that Albiston's intervention may influence the final decision.

It is anticipated that a decision on where the maternity services are to be located will be made by acting British minister Des Browne in the near future.