A commitment made by Health Secretary Alan Johnson to improve the safety and security of NHS staff means 30,000 lone workers will receive personal security alarms.
Nurses and other healthcare staff who work in isolation from colleagues will benefit from the lone worker alarm system, which will allow them to call for assistance when their personal security is threatened.
Location-based service technology is at the heart of the i750 identicom devices, which can locate the user and link to a trained individual who can summon help if needed.
The system will also make it easier for workers to bring cases to prosecution, with the call centre able to listen to and record incidents.
Mr Johnson said: “No NHS staff should have to put up with violence in the workplace, but sadly it happens. Lone workers are particularly vulnerable and 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.”
The alarms will initially be given to community workers deemed to be at possible risk from their patients or patients’ families, and those who work in areas of high crime rates and social deprivation.
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