Recognizing that lone workers face violent behaviour from patients, and their families and friends, Health Secretary Alan Johnson has made good on his promise to provide them more security.

While it is true that these workers work in isolation and thus cannot call their co-workers when they need help, the department has launched an alarm system as a substitute to ensure that they can carry out work without having to face violence.

This alarm uses a location-based technology to locate the worker when the system is activated by him or her, and the call centre is connected to the device to send help if needed. All the worker has to do is indicate that he or she needs help. It also ensures that the events are recorded in a legally acceptable manner so that it becomes easier to bring the attackers to justice.

To begin with, the department intends to provide the system to about 30,000 NHS workers. The first alarms will be provided to community workers facing hostility from patients and their families, and to those who work in areas with a crime problem. These workers are at maximum risk of falling prey to violent attacks. Those who work with socially disadvantaged will also be given these alarms, along with those who have to deal with people with a history of substance abuse or violence.

At the launch of the system, Alan Johnson emphasized again that his department was fully committed to ensuring the safety of NHS workers, and would do all in its power to achieve that.

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