NHS Security Management, Weston House, 246 High Holborn,
London WC1V 7EX
tel 020 7895 4500, fax 020 7895 4600
The aim of the NHS Security Management Service is simple: to protect the NHS so that it can better protect the public's health.
Background
The NHS Security Management Service was established in 2003, creating the NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service.
The NHS Security Management Service is responsible for the security of NHS staff and property in England – the first time a dedicated organisation has had such a remit. This includes:
- protecting NHS staff from violence and abuse
- taking appropriate action against those who abuse, or attempt to abuse, NHS staff
- helping to ensure the security of property, facilities, equipment and other resources such as drugs.
The NHS Security Management Service is raising the profile and standards of security management work in a comprehensive, inclusive and professional manner, working with the Department of Health, NHS bodies, NHS professionals, trade unions and other bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive.
All NHS health bodies must nominate a director at board level to take responsibility for security management, ensuring that security of NHS staff and property is considered at the highest levels in each health body. This will, over time, allow more money and time to be invested to make real and lasting improvements to protecting NHS staff and NHS property.
Putting these improvements into practice at a local level are trained and accredited Local Security Management Specialists (LSMSs) who have taken the lead in security management work since April 2004. Each LSMS is the expert in matters of security management in their health body and is responsible for translating the NHS Security Management Service's guidance, policies and initiatives into good practice locally - find out who your health body's LSMS is if you don't already know.
The NHS Security Management Service is committed to delivering an environment for those who use or work in the NHS that is properly secure so that the highest possible standard of clinical care can be made available to patients.
The strategy
The strategy document A Professional Approach to Managing Security in the NHS (PDF 851KB) explains how the NHS Security Management Service ensures high standards of security work, to deliver lasting and tangible improvements across the health service. It defines the overall aims, objectives and the generic elements of the business process model that the NHS Security Management Service has chosen to achieve this.
The process described involves identifying the problems, developing appropriate solutions and taking action through a national structure, founded on a new profession for the NHS – the Local Security Management Specialist – with a common language, skills, methodology and consistent high standards. A national structure with a clear and strong legal framework and clearly defined roles is essential to the delivery of a safe and secure environment.
Working with others
As part of this professional approach, the NHS Security Management Service is fully committed to working with other organisations to raise the standards of security management work. Its key partners include the Department of Health, the Health and Safety Executive, the NHS Litigation Authority and the Healthcare Commission.
The NHS Security Management Service is committed to furthering a security strategy for the NHS that is evolving and inclusive. To this end, the following agreements have been negotiated: