The NHS Security Management Service (SMS) lone worker system was announced a winner of The National Personal Safety Awards 2010 (run by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust) at a ceremony on Saturday, November 20. The awards recognise those who have helped people stay safe from violence and aggression and demonstrated best practice in the field.
The SMS won the Safer Workplace category, for the employer which has "done the most to improve personal safety awareness among staff". It topped a shortlist of nominees including the British Heart Foundation and Crest Nicholson PLC.
The Department of Health announced in May 2009 that 30,000 NHS lone workers will receive personal security alarms. Staff are able to use these devices to monitor and record incidents where they feel their safety is threatened. As well as developing the system, SMS oversaw the training of the first users, who have welcomed it.
Sue Frith, Deputy Head of Security Management at the NHS SMS, said: "We are delighted to receive such a well respected award. The system provides NHS staff with a service that they can use to signal discreetly for assistance should they feel vulnerable or at risk when working alone. It helps protect NHS staff and allows action to be taken against those who have abused or assaulted them. This helps deliver healthy and safe working conditions and an environment free from harassment, bullying or violence, in line with the NHS Constitution. The comprehensive training package makes sure NHS staff are fully equipped to make good use of this system."
Positive feedback has been given by the growing number of users of the Lone Worker Service:
"It is excellent. Exactly what lone workers have needed for years."
"I feel more confident with it when being called out in the night to areas that I don’t know well."
"Knowing I have the device does help me feel safer and less isolated in patients’ homes."
Further information
Lone working is defined as any situation or location in which someone works without a colleague nearby; or when someone is working out of sight or earshot of another colleague. This could be outside of a hospital or similar environment or internally, where staff care for patients or service users on their own. Other descriptions commonly used include community or outreach workers. Lone working may be a constituent part of a person’s usual job or it could occur on an infrequent basis, as and when circumstances dictate. Lone working is not unique to any particular groups of staff, working environment or time of day.
Health bodies have a responsibility to protect their staff from incidents of violence, threatening behaviour and verbal abuse. Their staff can now use these devices to monitor and record incidents where they feel their safety is threatened. Evidence, including audio recordings obtained through these devices may be used in criminal and civil proceedings and/or to take local sanctions against alleged offenders. The health bodies are responsible for the use of the devices and any recordings. They will of course continue to take any necessary steps to safeguard patient confidentiality, and recordings will only be retained where incidents have occurred.
The NHS Security Management Service (NHS SMS) – a division of the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) – was set up in 2003 to handle policy and operational guidance related to the management of security within the NHS in England. It strives to ensure permanent improvements are made to provide the best protection for NHS staff and property.
In 2008/09 there were 54,758 reported physical assaults against NHS staff in England. This is a reduction of 1,235 compared to the previous year. There were 941 criminal sanctions in cases of assault, compared to 992 in 2007/08.
In April 2004, the NHS SMS developed a national syllabus for conflict resolution training aimed at all frontline NHS staff. This training gives staff the skills to recognise and defuse potentially violent situations. Figures show that more than 428,000 staff have been trained so far.
Local Security Management Specialists (LSMSs) are in place in 90 per cent of health bodies around England to investigate security breaches, along with the police, and implement new systems to better protect NHS staff and property. All reported incidents of violence against staff are reported to the LSMS as well as the police. They receive professional training in areas such as witness interviewing and a background in law, and are supported nationally by the NHS SMS.
