2gether Support Solutions which is a subsidiary of East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust has appointed Assist Security Group (ASG) to provide physical security services across its four hospital sites: William Harvey Hospital (Ashford), Kent & Canterbury Hospital (Canterbury), Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital (Margate) and Buckland Hospital (Dover).
This appointment further strengthens ASG’s growing portfolio in healthcare security, building on successful partnerships with five NHS Trusts.
Paul Grzegorzek, NHS Account Director at ASG, commented: “It’s protection through a tailored, risk-based approach. No two environments are the same, which is why we assess threats, vulnerabilities, and incident trends to build a clear picture of the unique security needs.
“ASG officers understand the complexities of healthcare environments. They can work alongside NHS staff during challenging situations and genuinely care about patient welfare. Our team has the expertise to integrate seamlessly with clinical staff whilst maintaining the security standards these four busy hospitals need.”
Security Strategy
ASG will implement a security strategy across all four hospital sites, combining core security services with advanced training programmes and extensive staff welfare support. The approach includes tech-enabled officers who utilise cutting-edge technology, incident management systems, and intelligence-driven protocols to provide enhanced security coverage.
All security officers will complete ASG’s specialist three-day initial training programme, which includes de-escalation training, Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression (PMVA) training and appropriate use of restraint techniques. This ensures staff can respond effectively and safely to challenging situations whilst maintaining dignity and care for all individuals involved.
Focus on Staff Welfare and Development
Recognising the demanding nature of healthcare security, ASG prioritises comprehensive staff welfare support. All security officers will have access to a 24-hour GP helpline, 24-hour mental health support through the Mindful Employer programme, and professional counselling services. The company’s employee benefits package and professional development programmes demonstrate ASG’s commitment to creating rewarding career opportunities within healthcare security.
ASG’s partnership with PTSD Resolution, the Forces Veterans’ charity and trauma specialists, provides additional mental health training and support, ensuring security officers are equipped to handle the psychological demands of working in healthcare environments.
Technology and Continuous Improvement
The service includes ASG’s interactive training platform, which delivers short, focused learning modules to maintain and enhance officer capabilities throughout their employment. This commitment to continuous learning ensures security standards remain consistently high across all four hospital sites.
ASG’s specialised healthcare security approach incorporates technology, risk anticipation and prevention systems specifically designed for hospital environments, alongside situational response protocols tailored to the unique challenges of healthcare settings, including volatile situation management capabilities.
“What sets us apart is our people and their experience,” added Grzegorzek. “We’re deploying officers who understand the complexities of healthcare environments, receive relevant training and are deployed with the latest technology to make a real difference in helping reduce violence and aggression across the NHS. That makes all the difference when you’re securing four major hospital sites across East Kent.”
“ASG also provides systems and other technology services to further support guarding deployment and ensure a comprehensive resource-to-risk approach that protects Trust budgets and the return on investment.”
ASG continues to expand its healthcare security portfolio and is currently in discussions with several other NHS Trusts seeking specialist security solutions tailored to healthcare environments.
To find out about the options and opportunities for the safety and security of your organisation – https://assistsecurity.co.uk/ Email: sales@assistsecurity.co.uk or call 0208 543 6670
