The Servei Balear de Salut has decided to reinforce the security services at the reference hospital in Palma, Son Espases, to prevent the entry of almost fifty homeless people who have settled in to live in the emergency area of the hospital centre. The decision comes after Ultima Hora has reported that these people have caused problems with hospital staff, who have even received threats.
The security services will set up controls at the entrances to prevent the homeless from returning at night to sleep in the halls of the premises so that the center can return to normal in a few days. They began to settle in the hospital a few months ago and health officials recognize that it is difficult to avoid their presence since they argue that they need medical treatment.
The homeless live in the hallways of the Emergency Department and use the bathrooms and waiting rooms, as well as other rooms. Outside the hospital, at the gates of the premises, other homeless people have also settled in and enter the hospital premises at night. From now on, security services will prohibit homeless people from entering with belongings.
The situation has generated alarm among hospital workers since some of them have shown violent attitudes, with clashes with security services and workers. Many of them are dependent on alcohol or drugs. The homeless are in the Emergency area, where they share spaces with the patients who come for treatments.
The previous managers of the hospital initially allowed these homeless people to sleep inside the hospital, but finally they settled there practically all day and for their sake they have decided to intervene. At first it was a small group, which has expanded as the months have passed.
The hospital management has now contacted the police to seek their help in solving the problem. Social services will also intervene to try to help these fifty people.
