Solent NHS Trust have chosen a lone worker protection product for 700 of their lone working staff, after an OJEU tender process.
The trust covers Portsmouth and Southampton with some services reaching across Hampshire. Many of the 3800-plus staff work in the community, often alone. Simon Zammit, Solent’s Local Security Management Specialist (LSMS), sought lone worker protection for clinical staff. Skyguard were awarded the contract to supply MySOS personal safety devices. The MySOS device offers one button alarm activation. An alarm containing the user’s personal details and GPS location is sent to Skyguard’s 24/7 Incident Management Centre where controllers will manage an emergency. Skyguard are externally audited and approved to the British standard for lone worker management BS 8484:2011, BS 5979 (Category II) and have Association of Chief Police Officers ‘Secured by Design’.
Skyguard worked with the Trust to ensure an effective implementation plan was put into action. Simon was impressed with the professional support during the implementation, which was tailored to suit the needs of the organisation in training staff and deploying units at the earliest opportunity.
Simon Zammit said: “A deciding factor in choosing Skyguard was the clear demonstration of their desire to work with the Trust to ensure an effective roll out. We’ve been proven right in our choice; the service from Skyguard has been very professional, right from the early days during the procurement project through the implementation, where they have proved extremely flexible and helpful, and into the operational deployment of the service and devices.” Asked if he would recommend the product to other trusts, Simon said: “I have already. Simply because the service has been great and provides real reassurance to our staff, while helping the trust to fulfil its duty of care.”
The service has already proved invaluable for at least one Solent community nurse. Upon leaving a patient, she came across an elderly man having a seizure and drifting out of consciousness. The nurse activated her MySOS device, calling for help while providing CPR. Skyguard’s controllers directed an ambulance to the scene, which enabled the nurse to concentrate on keeping the man alive.
Will Murray, Skyguard’s Marketing Director added: “More and more NHS Trusts are switching to Skyguard because our service is easy to use, reliable and responsive. These are essential qualities when you are facing a potentially life-threatening situation, giving staff confidence and allowing them to focus on their job.”
About Skyguard
Established in 2000, Skyguard provides a personal safety service for lone workers and people at risk. Skyguard offers a range of personal safety devices linked to a purpose built, UK based, 24/7 Incident Management Centre certified to industry standards (BS 8484, BS 5979 Category II). In August 2011, Skyguard launched the emergency response service operating in 36 countries across Europe, the Russian Federation and South Africa. Visit www.skyguardgroup.com
