Over the past five years, more than 50,000 attacks on healthcare staff have been reported, according to the Department of Health. This alarming figure underscores a critical issue: current security systems are failing to adequately protect both patients and staff in healthcare institutions. 

In light of this, Unison, one of the UK's largest trade unions, is advocating for a thorough review of hospital security across Northern Ireland. This blog examines the key factors to consider when assessing and enhancing security services in healthcare facilities.  

Presence of Trained Security Staff 

One of the most effective ways to improve security in healthcare is to ensure there is a strong and visible presence of trained security staff in facilities. The physical presence of security personnel provides a tangible sense of support for both staff and patients, particularly in high-stress environments like Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments, where intense emotions and panic can rapidly escalate into hostile and violent interactions. 

However, it is not enough to simply provide “boots on the ground”. In healthcare environments, where vulnerable individuals and dangerous tools or drugs are present, it is imperative that security personnel are thoroughly trained to effectively manage and quickly de-escalate tensions.  

CCTV 

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems have long been a traditional deterrent against criminal acts. High-quality CCTV systems, especially those capable of live monitoring, can be instrumental in flagging potential issues or attacks to staff on-duty in real-time. This helps to swiftly address incidents and can contribute to understanding how and why violent incidents occur. 

However, while CCTV serves as a valuable tool for surveillance and deterrence, it is becoming increasingly clear that it alone is not sufficient to prevent all incidents. While CCTV is a necessary component of a security strategy, it must be complemented by other measures to ensure a comprehensive approach to staff and patient safety.  

As the UK's leading expert in staff safety systems, we offer advanced security solutions including CCTV, access control, patient movement detection, and door entry systems. All of these can seamlessly integrate and communicate with your Pinpoint system to enhance overall security. 

Staff Safety Alarms  

Given the limitations of CCTV and the impracticality of relying solely on security personnel to ensure complete safety, staff safety alarms are an essential addition to any security strategy. These alarms provide a critical layer of protection by allowing staff to summon immediate assistance in the event of a threat or emergency. 

For example, Pinpoint’s P2 System offers an optimal security solution for healthcare staff. This system allows employees to alert a response team to the exact location and severity of an incident with a simple press of a button on a discreet personalsafety alarm. This highly efficient process, which takes just 1/100th of a second from alarm activation to display, prevents hostile or aggressive behaviour from escalating as responders can swiftly intervene.  

Where resources (and people) are tight, it’s crucial that responders are directed to the exact location of an attack in a timely manner. The Pinpoint System achieves this, displaying the very room where an attack is taking place to devices including PCs, pagers and mobiles for staff to respond to.  

Looking to review your staff security systems? Get in touch with us here to arrange a call.