After Health Secretary, Alan Johnson’s commitment to improve the safety and security of NHS staff, some 30,000 lone workers are to be issued with the i750 Identicom lone worker alarm. The Identicom devices, manufactured and supplied by Sheffield-based Connexion2, are being rolled out by Reliance, which is providing the NHS with a lone worker protection package for less than 33p per day.
Reliance has been contracted by the NHS Business Services Authority to provide a total solution package to NHS staff. The service will include supplying the Identicom device, end user training, full 24/7 manned monitoring and service desk support. The roll out is being undertaken region by region and began in London and the South East on May 5.
Identicom will be initially targeted at community workers who work with patients and their families or associates who have a history of violence, alcohol or drug abuse or clinical conditions which might heighten risks to the lone worker. In addition the alarms will also be offered to NHS personnel who work in areas of high crime rates and social deprivation.
Health Secretary Alan 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 Department of Health’s decision to purchase Identicom follows full due diligence to ensure that the system chosen works for the user and the NHS. Unlike some lone worker devices, Identicom looks like a normal ID holder and is carried and operated in a completely discreet fashion. Importantly, Identicom it is claimed also helps engender a culture of dynamic risk assessment and is able to capture credible evidence in the event of an incident.
"We have worked with the NHS for the past six years which has enabled us to fully understand the issues facing NHS workers and the needs and desires of their employers", says Craig Swallow, CEO of Connexion2. "We believe Identicom is a very credible tool in the fight against violence and abusive behaviour towards all lone and mobile workers", he added.
The 2007 winner of the ACPO Award at the IFSEC Security Industry Innovation Awards, Identicom has also has been awarded ACPO Secured by Design (SBD) accreditation. SBD is an initiative from the Association of Police Officers (ACPO) that aims to reduce crime through effective design.
About Identicom
Manufactured by Sheffield based Connexion2, Identicom is equipped with a tri-band GSM module, GSM SIM card, lithium battery and control electronics. Measuring 102x72x14mm and weighing just 68 grams, Identicom‘s technology is all within the unit. The device includes a lanyard attachment that enables it to be worn around the neck as a standard ID and hides a ‘rip alarm’ function, which is triggered if the unit is forcibly removed from the wearer.
