The LSMS is responsible to the Security Director and will exercise specific responsibilities on their behalf.
They are also responsible for helping to deliver an environment for those who use or work in the NHS which is safe and secure. They will ensure that healthcare organisations have robust and up-to-date policies and procedures in place to enhance the safety of all staff, including lone workers.
The LSMS should work collaboratively with line managers to ensure that these policies and procedures are disseminated to all relevant staff.
Other duties include:
Undertaking proactive work to minimise the risk of assaults on staff or theft
Provide advice on all security-related matters within the organisation from lone workers to the physical security of buildings
Investigate incidents of assaults on staff
To improve the personal safety of staff working alone, the LSMS should advise the organisation on physical security measures that can be put in place.
They need to ensure that any technology used to protect lone workers (such as personal safety devices) is appropriate, proportionate and meets the needs of the organisation and lone working staff. The technology is also required to meet the necessary legal requirements.
When an incident involving a lone worker occurs, the LSMS should carry out a full investigation and take any appropriate actions. In some instances, they may be required to liaise with the police to allow follow-up actions to be taken.
Once a thorough investigation and all necessary actions have been completed, the LSMS should conduct a full post-incident review to identify lessons that can be learned.
By working with line managers, they can ensure that all appropriate remedial actions are implemented.
If an incident causes more than seven consecutive days’ absence from work, there is also a legal requirement for it to be reported to the Health and Safety Executive under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). This must be done in addition to reporting all physical assaults to the NHS Security Management Service (SMS) through its physical assault reporting system (PARS).
