Bradford Royal Infirmary boosts security following sexual assault

An additional £250,000 has been allocated to hospital security measures after an elderly woman experienced a sexual assault while receiving care at Bradford Royal Infirmary. Peter Dzudza, identified as a drug user with schizophrenia, committed a sexual assault against a vulnerable woman within a private cubicle at the medical facility. Dzudza, aged 28, received a 27-month prison sentence in September, following proceedings at Bradford Crown Court where a judge was presented with the distressing details surrounding the incident. Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed that they have enhanced their security presence and equipped clinical staff with body-worn cameras. Following Dzudza’s sentencing, councillor Sirferaz Saddiq questioned Bradford Council officials regarding the actions taken to prevent a recurrence of a “failure in safeguarding protocols,” as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. She further stated: “The public deserves transparency in understanding how such a breach could occur, who was responsible, and what actions are being taken to restore trust in the hospital’s safeguarding practices.” Dzudza, who was homeless, indicated that he had been “staying” at the hospital when the offense occurred, while the woman was awaiting an X-ray. The official response from Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust to the councillor’s inquiry has recently been made public by the council. The Trust’s statement read: “Our immediate response to the incident was to increase further investment and resourcing in our existing 24/7 security presence within our hospitals.” This constitutes an extra £250,000, which has been used to augment security presence to safeguard both patients and staff members. Furthermore, the Trust has supplied body-worn cameras to clinical staff, offering additional reassurance to colleagues who may encounter violence and aggression. The Trust reiterated its ongoing directive for colleagues to verify and challenge individuals entering the premises without a valid reason. The Trust expressed its appreciation for the cooperation of broader partners in ensuring public awareness of its check and challenge policy, helping visitors understand why they might be questioned about their visit’s purpose and their movements while on Trust property.