Lone NHS staff to receive personal alarms

Personal security alarms will be rolled out from today (May 5th) to NHS staff who operate alone with patients.

The devices will be targeted at those who work in the community with individuals and their associates who have a history of substance abuse or violence, as well as those visiting areas of high crime rates and social deprivation.

Some 30,000 NHS workers will receive an alarm and they will be linked to a call centre so any events that put the member of staff in a vulnerable or dangerous position can be recorded.

The programme is part of health secretary Alan Johnson’s commitment to improve the safety and security of staff.

He noted no worker should have to put up with violence, adding lone employees are particularly at risk.

“I am determined to provide them with as much protection as we can to enable them to carry out their valuable work knowing that they have the support they need should their personal safety be threatened,” he commented.

Last week, the Department of Health announced additional nurses would be placed at Stafford Hospital to improve patient care and boost frontline staff.