CCTV not working at Ayr hospital where woman stabbed

CCTV cameras at a hospital in where a health worker was stabbed had not been working for several years.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran is investigating what could have contributed to a worker being stabbed in a hospital car park, while police continue to appeal for dashcam footage of the suspect.
While the site displays notices of 24-hour CCTV surveillance, the health board confirmed the camera system was outdated and had not been operational for “a number of years”.

Emergency services were called to Ailsa Hospital in North Ayrshire at around 10am on Thursday after the 42-year-old woman was attacked.

READ MORE: Ayr hospital stabbing: Police hunt woman after worker stabbed

Ailsa Hospital, Dalmellington Road. Picture: John Devlin

The community support worker suffered serious injuries, but has been receiving treatment in hospital where her condition is described as stable.

Now NHS Ayrshire and Arran have launched a “significant adverse event review” (SAER) and is providing support to staff, when needed.

The investigation will focus on analysing factors that have contributed to the circumstances of the event.

A health board spokeswoman said: “Following the incident at Ailsa Hospital on November 22 NHS Ayrshire and Arran is providing support to staff, where required.

Ailsa Hospital, Dalmellington Road. Picture: John Devlin

“We are conducting a SAER and are continuing to assist Police Scotland with their investigations.

“We are unable to comment further at this time.”

Meanwhile, officers have now made an appeal for anyone who may have captured footage of the attacker.

Superintendent Brian Shaw said: “I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who was driving in the area of Ailsa Hospital in Dalmellington Road, Ayr, anytime between 9.30am and 10.30am yesterday and who may have captured the woman on their vehicle’s dashcam.

“Dalmellington Road is a busy road and there would have been a large volume of vehicles passing during these times.”

The suspect is described as being around 5ft 2in to 5ft 3in aged between 30 and 50 years, of slight build and with a pale complexion.

She was wearing a dark woolly hat and a dark jacket.

Police Scotland initially locked down the hospital and surrounding area while searches were carried out but the facility reopened around 1pm.

A woman was arrested on Thursday over what was described as an unrelated matter but police said she was “of interest to the inquiry”.