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27 May 2025
King’s College Hospital is one of London’s largest and busiest hospitals, providing a range of healthcare services to approximately 1 million patients each year. Home to a major trauma centre, the hospital welcomes patients from across the globe to receive specialist and pioneering treatments.
With 900 beds across more than 20 wards, and a workforce of 15,000 employees, King’s College Hospital is a thriving NHS institution, delivering world-class health outcomes for patients.
The Challenge
Violence toward healthcare workers is a longstanding issue, with 1 in 7 NHS workers reportedly experiencing physical abuse from patients in 2024.
King’s College London has been at the forefront of protecting its workers. 30 years ago, following reports of violent behaviour toward staff in the A&E department, the hospital assessed measures to better protect its frontline workers.
Open 24 hours a day, with multiple teams working different shifts to cover 24/7 operations, King’s College Hospital required a solution that was easy to use and available to all staff throughout the shift.
The large A&E department, comprising multiple rooms, a reception and bathroom facilities, necessitated extensive coverage and a precise service, ensuring help could be correctly allocated in the event of an incident.
Pinpoint’s staff alarm system was identified as the best option to prevent abuse toward A&E staff and ensure assistance could be summoned in high-risk situations.
The Solution
The Pinpoint System was initially installed within the A&E department in 1995.
Staff were each given Personal Infrared Transmitters (PITs), discreet alarm devices that can be quickly charged and worn by employees throughout the shift, to be activated when required in the event of an attack or high-risk incident.
The PITs come in two forms: the standard PIT, which is clipped onto the wearer’s uniform and is activated by pulling the body of the device from its retaining pin. The Badge PIT is held within a badge ID holder to conceal its presence from members of the public. Here, a large central button on the reverse side of the device triggers the emergency call.
When activated, the PIT emits signals to receiver units installed within the hospital’s ceiling. These signals are then delivered as information to devices such as mobiles, pagers and display units, alerting responders to the exact location.
All hospital staff were given comprehensive training on how to use the system and the protocol in place for responding to incidents.
The Results
The accuracy and speed with which the Pinpoint System works, identifying and communicating the location of an active alarm call in seconds, enabled swift intervention during high-risk incidents, preventing aggressive behaviour from escalating. And, as a result, healthcare workers could focus on delivering high-quality care to improve treatment outcomes.
Since the first installation, Pinpoint has been installed across King’s College Hospital’s 20+ wards and departments, providing full coverage for staff on site. This expansion is a testament to the quality, reliability and accuracy of the Pinpoint System, providing outstanding results in high-risk workplaces.
Pinpoint is proud to support the team at King’s College Hospital and to be considered one of their most trusted partners.
Do you require a staff alarm system for your workplace? Get in touch with Pinpoint, the UK's leading supplier of staff safety systems.
