Beijing legislature passes regulation on hospital security

Beijing's legislative body on Friday passed a new regulation on public security management of the capital's hospitals, stipulating police posts to be instituted at the city's secondary and tertiary hospitals effective July 1.

The Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal People's Congress reviewed the draft regulation on public security management of the city's hospitals in March and passed the regulation on Friday, after several attacks on doctors by patients or their relatives received widespread public condemnation.

A security inspection system should be established at hospitals in Beijing, with safety checks conducted in the entrance of the hospitals or key regions, according to the regulation. Restricted or hazardous items will not be allowed in hospitals.

Once medical workers trigger the button of an alarm device, police officers and security guards at hospitals should verify the situation at the scene and stop illegal behavior, according to the regulation. Violators will be taken away from the spot immediately.

For high-risk patients that visit the hospital frequently, a security guard should accompany the patient for diagnosis and treatment, the regulation said. Medical personnel may suspend treatment when their personal safety is threatened.

The capital city's health department, public security organs and hospitals will also establish a joint session system to analyze the situation of public order at hospitals and conduct early warnings for risk assessment, according to the regulation.