Carlisle Support Services has new training for security officers employed in the healthcare sector.
The contract company has teamed up with healthcare security trainer Jim OโDwyer of AEGIS Protective Services, to produce a bespoke, โrole-specificโ training programme for all Carlisle security personnel deployed in NHS settings. The new programme, mirrors the โTop-Upโ training specification approved by officers from the National Association for Healthcare Security (NAHS) and Skills for Security (SfS).
Jim OโDwyer says that the knowledge base and skill-set required by healthcare security officers is much broader than that provided by standard SIA training. Hence a training deficit, and the new Carlisle Healthcare Security training. The syllabus covers:
โขNHS security strategy
โขPatient focus
โขHealthcare-related legislation
โขCommunication skills
โขManaging disputes
โขHand hygiene
โขPatrolling healthcare sites
โขRecognising signs of mental ill health and learning difficulties
โขAwareness of clinically related challenging behaviour (CRCB)
โขSelf-harm awareness
โขSafeguarding vulnerable patients
โขDealing with missing persons and patients
โขLock-down procedures
โขDealing with lost and found property
โขSearching people, property and vehicles
โขProcedures for prisoners attending healthcare sites; and
โขDealing with prohibited items.
Adrian Canale, Sector Director at Carlisle, pictured, said: โHealthcare security and safety is a constant balancing act between securing the facility and offering an open and caring welcome. These environments are presented with unique challenges and associated risks, including threats of infant abductions, assaults against staff, visitors, patients, violent behaviour and vandalism to property. Taking these factors into account, itโs clear that security and emergency management within the healthcare sector can differ significantly from assignments within the government, institutional, financial and commercial areas.
“Carlisle have aligned our values to deliver on a promise-based culture to become experts in the sectors we work in. Our business propositions are therefore built around our people, their development and most of all, the training of our staff that must be tailored to each specific need, risk and requirements of our clients. The Healthcare sector continually faces increasing demands and associated risks due to its population and the community is serves. The ability to therefore identify, understand challenging behaviour and prevention strategies form a major part of a security officerโs role each day.
“Carlisle have teamed with AEGIS to develop a comprehensive training package designed around the key risks faced by staff, visitors and patients within a hospital environment. The training has been designed to educate, develop and deliver against, changing standards in all aspects, from mental health awareness to dealing with conflict and healthcare legislation. We are confident that our staff deployment within these locations have a true understanding of the associated risks and are able to deal will any situation or incident that may occur during their working day.โ
And Jim OโDwyer, Senior Consultant at AEGIS said: โA Healthcare Security Officer role demands a never-ending ability to keep calm, composed and professional when dealing with people in highly emotional and stressful circumstances. Iโm aware that many NHS Trusts (and staff) share a common concern, based on experience, that contracted in security staff might not fully appreciate the importance of โpatient focusโ and, through lack of understanding, i.e. suitable training, may display the wrong attitude and approach when carrying out their duties. So, Iโm sure itโll be very re-assuring for them to know that the training that will be delivered to all Carlisle security staff employed in healthcare settings matches the โTop Upโ training specification approved by experts from the National Association for Healthcare Security (NAHS). The course provides a module on โPatient Focusโ and the message is constantly reinforced throughout the programme. Importantly, trainees learn how to recognise the signs, symptoms and characteristics of people with mental ill health and learning difficulties. The training also develops understanding of Clinically Related Challenging Behaviour (CRCB) and the best de-escalation strategies to employ to reduce risk.โ
