2 patients escape from St Ann's

Police are trying to find two patients who escaped from St Ann’s Psychiatric Hospital on February 12.

A statement from the North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) said both patients were being held in Forensic Ward 27, but left without authorisation on the morning of February 12 at around 6 am.

When staff realised the patients were missing, they called the police. The statement said the NWRHA was "fully co-operating with law-enforcement authorities in their ongoing efforts to locate the individuals."

The NWRHA also said it had launched an internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and to strengthen security protocols where necessary.

"The safety of our patients, staff, and the wider community remains our highest priority, and we are treating this matter with the utmost urgency."