Most, 72 per cent of respondents have cited violence to staff as the leading security challenge facing them and their team in a study by Axis Communications, the network video product manufacturer, with IFSEC Insider. The survey of security professionals working in the healthcare industry also found – when asked whether they had witnessed abuse (either verbal or physical) against healthcare workers, administrative staff or security personnel at their medical institute – that 40 per cent of respondents said it happens on a daily basis. Nearly a quarter said it happens weekly.
Violence to staff was given as the top answer to the study on security procedures within healthcare that covered physical and cyber considerations. This was given ahead of factors including ‘undertrained staff in dealing with security challenges’ at 54pc, and ‘budget constraints impacting the ability to upgrade security systems’ in third place at 44pc.
Ian Littell, Global Key Account Manager, Axis Communications, says: “The aim of our research was to understand the leading security challenges within the healthcare setting. The last published report – The 2023 NHS Staff Survey by NHS England – found that a quarter of NHS staff experienced at least one incident in the last 12 months. On the evidence of our research, it would appear to have got worse so it is vital that we obtain a crystal-clear picture of the situation within healthcare to ensure appropriate action can be taken.”
The 2023 NHS Staff Survey also reported abuse against ambulance workers. This resulted in NHS England launching several initiatives including the piloting in ambulance trusts of a body worn cameras for three years, plus the commissioning of a Violence Prevention and Reduction Hub, been funded to March 2025. That will look at ways to improve staff safety including data sharing; education to extend knowledge; and improved collaboration.
The Axis study also looked at what technology would be most effective in overcoming the security challenges. Some 60pc of respondents gave ‘Body worn cameras for staff’ as the top answer followed by ‘Unification of security systems to feed into and be managed in one centralised platform’ at 46pc and, thirdly, ‘Upgraded video surveillance systems with embedded AI’ at 38pc. Only 26pc gave the threat of cyber attack as a concern, despite the known ramifications and increased risks resulting from geo-political tensions.
Ian Littell adds: “The current NHS initiatives are welcome which, as always, will have to look at making the best use of resources. This is where it is critical that smart choices are made in terms of technology procurement moving forward. This must be considered in the round and not in isolation. For example, body worn cameras are a powerful visual deterrent but don’t cover the full picture and are not going to solve the broader issue on their own. This has to be thought about not in terms of silos which perpetuates a rip-and-replace model, but in terms of a unified system where modules can be integrated to improve operational efficiency over time.”
Visit https://www.axis.com/en-gb/solutions/healthcare.
