The stabbing of a nurse at Royal Oldham Hospital has highlighted urgent concerns about NHS staff safety, according to leading healthcare security provider Assist Security Group (ASG).
The incident, which occurred in the hospital’s acute medical unit at 23:30 GMT on Saturday, left a nurse in her fifties with life-changing injuries. A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
“This distressing incident underscores the critical importance of robust security measures in healthcare settings,” says Troy Hewitt, CEO of ASG. “NHS staff deserve to work without fear of violence. While many trusts have enhanced their security protocols, this incident demonstrates the need for comprehensive security strategies that protect healthcare workers whilst maintaining an open, caring environment.”
The attack comes amid growing concerns about violence against NHS staff. ASG, which provides security services to several NHS trusts, has responded by developing innovative approaches to healthcare security, including their NHS Security Development Programme currently operating at Croydon, Epsom, and St Helier hospitals.
This programme, spearheading transformation in NHS security, emphasises collaboration between security and clinical staff to prevent and manage aggressive incidents. The initiative, developed by Jonathan Thomas and Paul Grzegorzek of ASG, focuses on creating safer pathways for managing violence while maintaining patient care standards.
The effectiveness of specialist healthcare security teams was recently recognised when ASG’s Epsom and St Helier unit received the ‘Respect’ award at the GESH Care Awards for their exceptional service under challenging conditions.
Healthcare security threats have evolved beyond traditional concerns, requiring increasingly sophisticated responses. ASG’s programme addresses these challenges through enhanced training, technological integration, and refined incident response protocols.
The Royal Oldham Hospital incident occurred despite increased security measures across NHS facilities. Greater Manchester Police have confirmed they are maintaining an enhanced presence at the hospital, which continues to operate normally.
ASG’s approach emphasises preventive measures, including specialist training for security officers in healthcare environments, integrated alarm systems, and coordinated response protocols. This comprehensive strategy aims to protect staff and patients while maintaining the accessible, caring atmosphere essential to healthcare facilities.
The company’s security development programme has demonstrated success in reducing violent incidents and improving staff confidence across partner hospitals. This integrated approach combines advanced security protocols with healthcare-specific training, ensuring security teams understand the unique challenges of hospital environments.
ASG continues to work closely with NHS trusts to enhance security measures while maintaining efficient healthcare delivery. Their expertise in healthcare security has proven particularly valuable in high-risk areas such as emergency departments and acute medical units.
For further information: https://assistsecurity.co.uk/
For the latest Hospital Security Report Email: info@assistsecurity.co.uk or call 0208 543 6670