NAHS focused on NHS staff safety amid rise in workplace violence

The organisation, which boasts more than 700 members across the healthcare sector, is championing improved information sharing and Best Practice development with the support of CriticalArc and other industry partners.

A significantly expanded 2022 NAHS National Conference Programme has now been confirmed in the wake of last year’s sell-out event. Limited spaces remain for the two-day gathering at the University of Birmingham on 2 and 3 November, which features presentations from several industry thought leaders.

NAHS chair Roger Ringham has stated that the global sponsorship agreement with CriticalArc will bring significant benefits, including assistance with research projects and improved partnerships with professionals in the higher education sector where the company already harbours a strong network of customers and collaborators.

“We currently have no formal annual reporting of aggression against NHS staff nationally,” stated Ringham. “All of the data we have suggests this is a problem that’s continuing to grow. With workload pressures also increasing, and many NHS Trusts struggling to recruit staff, improving safety is a priority.”

Ringham continued: “Developing new solutions and sharing Best Practice are key aims for the NAHS. We welcome CriticalArc’s support as we invest in improved services for members. This renewed focus on worker protection will be reflected in our National Conference programme in November and the initiatives subsequently arising from it.”

Adopted by NHS Trusts

CriticalArc’s SafeZone, which is already helping to protect students and staff at almost 50% of UK universities, is now being adopted by NHS Trusts as well. It’s enabling rapid emergency assistance for thousands of NHS staff – including lone workers in hospitals, at local clinics and in the community. It precisely locates checked-in users and allows Control Room operators to co-ordinate faster responses, for example, by directing all relevant responders to the scene of an incident.”

As well as improving personal safety, the SafeZone unified platform is being used by NHS Trusts for a growing list of functions including direct and targeted mass communications, ‘See it? Say it!’ tip reporting by members of staff and streamlined co-ordination between clinical teams and their team leaders.

“With healthcare services under enormous pressure, the NAHS is focusing on the priority challenges facing NHS security teams, including lone worker protection, preparedness and incident response,” explained Darren Chalmers-Stevens, chief operating officer at CriticalArc. “CriticalArc is pleased to be bringing our proven solution to the table to help NHS Trusts respond and to be providing our support and expertise to the NAHS as a global sponsor.”

About the NAHS

The NAHS was formed in 1994 as a UK non-profit professional organisation. The NAHS operates in a single national network headed by the Association’s chair and supported by a Board of Directors who form the NAHS Executive Committee.

The Association’s key aim is to support and enable healthcare provision through the delivery of professional security management, ensuring that members are best placed and equipped to provide a safe and secure environment for their organisations’ staff, patients and all visitors alike. This process ultimately enhances and improves staff well-being and the healthcare environment along with emboldening the quality of a patient’s treatment ‘journey’.

The NAHS is associated with the Forum for Healthcare Security in Ireland and benefits from links to Healthcare Security in New Zealand and the International Association for Healthcare Safety and Security.

Further, the NAHS has formal links with The Security Institute, The Security Commonwealth, the Security Industry Authority and ASIS International’s UK Chapter. The organisation has the capacity to award Continuing Professional Development points to members for attendance at its National Conference, NAHS meetings and events.