Health alert badges aim to keep staff safe in community

More than 150 community midwives and nurses working for Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust are wearing new identification badges which also act as covert monitors.

They are fitted with a Global Positioning System, or satellite tracking device, which can be activated at the press of a button, and can also record conversations and give them a direct audio link to staff in a security control centre.

Staff are also being encouraged to wear and use the device when they are off duty.

Security management specialist at the trust Andy Thompson said: "We have a significant number of staff who work in the community setting for various reasons and it is vital that they feel safe at all times. These devices offer a new level of security and reassurance to them." Recordings from the devices could be used as evidence in criminal and civil proceedings, the trust said.

Mr Thompson said: "It allows 24-hour monitoring and they know they can have someone listen to what's going on if they feel unsafe or in danger.

"If they want they can ask for the police to be called or the monitoring station can take that decision for them. It's like an ID badge and they can press 'red alert' if they feel in danger, but mainly it's there as a precaution."

Mr Thompson said the main risk to staff was not from patients.

He said: "Sometimes they might go into a house where there is a snake or large dogs.

"There's a lot of respect for nurses who do their bit in the community, but some times it's a relative who can get a bit offensive if they are not hearing what they want to hear.

"We are also encouraging them to use them for personal use outside of working hours."

The devices cost 10 each and are being funded for the first two years by the Government.

Community midwife Barbara Curtis said: "The trust has provided these safety devices to all their lone workers to enhance their safety, for which we are grateful.

"They will give staff extra confidence to know that if they need help they can get this quickly."