Cabinet has approved a contract valued at $21 million for the erection of a perimeter fence at the Bellevue Hospital, on Windward Road, in Kingston.

Minister of Information, Donald Buchanan, made the disclosure at Monday's post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House. The contract was awarded to Fencing Associates Limited.

However, Noel Julius, nursing supervisor at Bellevue, is sceptical about the announcement of the approved contract.

"We hope this will materialise as once before we heard of money being approved for the construction of the fence and nothing happened," said Mr. Julius.

Last Saturday, The Gleaner highlighted the need for proper security and the implementation of a perimeter fence at the hospital.

Hugh Porter, chief executive officer at the hospital for the mentally ill, expressed his concerns about the safety of staff while they are on the compound.

He noted that staff members were often robbed at the hospital and that, two weeks ago, a female nurse was held up at gunpoint and relieved of her cellular phone.

"We are happy yes, but a bit reserved. As everything might appear smooth and is in place, but there are no guarantees," Mr. Julius told The Gleaner, Tuesday.