Last year, following a 30% increase in violent attacks towards ambulance staff, The Guardian reported that NHS ambulance crews would be given body-worn cameras to record aggressive behaviour. The footage could then be handed into the police where necessary, serving as useful evidence in case of an assault.  

While effective in reporting on such attacks, when it comes to protecting staff from harm, the benefits of body-worn cameras are limited. Allan Aikman, Pinpoint’s product manager, explains why: "Interventions like body-worn cameras are only useful after the fact. The incident has already happened.” Despite the presence of the recording device, this alone cannot deter a violent attack, leaving staff at risk of aggression without a support team to defend them.

Staff attack security systems that interface with CCTV offer a more full-proof approach to staff safety. Allan suggests, “NHS Trusts need to invest in security systems that help protect staff in real-time, either by stopping a situation before it develops into violence or getting people the help they need as an incident occurs.” Rather than wait until the incident has passed, the ability to alert teammates when faced with a potentially aggressive patient is key to protecting staff from violence.

This is precisely what Pinpoint’s staff safety systems offer. Our WristPITs allow staff to discreetly call for assistance and emergency, emitting an alarm tone that relays the type and source of the call to devices such as pagers, mobiles, and PCs. Doing so alerts the response team to an incident and notifies the aggressor that help is on the way, preventing a violent situation from escalating further.

Worn on the wrist or incorporated into staff uniform, our range of PITs can be easily activated, providing maximum protection and reassurance to healthcare workers carrying out public duties.

Critically, our advanced security systems also ensure that violent incidents are recorded on camera for future examination. In scenarios where an emergency call has been raised, the Pinpoint system activates the CCTV to record and store footage as a point of reference. Doing so provides valuable reporting information for the authorities and NHS teams.

As attacks against medics rise, it’s vital that high-performance, reliable security systems are in place to protect ambulance staff. Body-worn cameras no doubt have their uses but cannot alone reduce the risk of aggression or stop an attack in its tracks. A comprehensive, integrated staff attack system is required to guarantee NHS staff in A&E settings can carry out their caring roles without the threat of violence.

Are you looking for a reliable system that will ensure your workplace safety? Book a call with us here to discuss the best security system for your workplace.