Healthcare Sector Security Feature
41
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of site perimeter security. The teams put
together were immense, with two
contracted security providers working
alongside ExCeL’s own security staff.
Additional advice was forthcoming from
local police resources, including
Counter-Terrorism Security Advisors as
well as security advisors from the Army.
Imposition of the national lockdown
changed the face of industries in cities
and towns. As stated, the hospitality
sector was decimated overnight with the
closure of pubs, restaurants, nightclubs
and hotels. The aviation industry has
also suffered markedly, of course.
During this time, the healthcare
sector started looking at plans for
staffing to deliver an increase in services
with a possible reduction in personnel
due to the pandemic. There was daily
monitoring of staffing levels and the
drawing up of ‘battle lines’ to decide
what was critical and what wasn’t given
the level of resources available. My
teams looked at what could be provided
with a 25% and a 50% reduction in
staffing if that was required.
Opportunities arise
With the closure of large-scale
businesses arose opportunities. My
organisation worked closely with a large
hotel nearby one of the hospitals. It was
evident that the Guy’s and St Thomas’
NHS Foundation Trust required
additional staff to address potential
shortfalls, while the hotel was going to
be furloughing some members of staff.
Since March, a large number of the
hotel security staff have been working
across both hospital sites providing
perimeter control security, inner cordon
security and, more recently, issuing face
masks, encouraging the use of hand
sanitiser and operating as social
distancing marshals for lift lobby areas.
Currently, they’re not deployed as
part of the security emergency response
team as they don’t have the physical
intervention training that NHS security
staff are required to undergo. However,
what they have brought to the party is
fantastic customer service skills. I’ve
received numerous compliments from
staff saying that they feel reassured with
the controls and measures put in place
and that the staff at the entrances are
very professional and welcoming. This is
a really positive aspect as I have the use
of experienced security operatives with
customer-facing skills who continue to
be employed in their local work area
and contribute towards the safety of the
business district as a whole.
The admission of any high-profile
individual as a patient is dealt with
under the enhanced measures protocol.
However, during COVID-19 the media
One of the undoubted positives to
emerge from the first wave of the
pandemic was ‘Clap for Heroes’,
which was initially designated as a
sign of appreciation for NHS staff
that then grew to encompass all
key workers who’ve bravely kept
the nation operational
interest has intensified. Having the
world’s press camped outside for weeks
at a time places a strain on everyone.
Unfortunately, due to some elements of
the media taking long lens photographs
from the roadside/public highway and
invading the privacy and dignity of
patients and staff arriving and leaving
on a daily basis, we necessarily had to
install temporary security fencing
around the perimeter and hoardings at
key points to ensure privacy.
One of the undoubted positives to
emerge from the first wave of the
pandemic was ‘Clap for Heroes’, which
was initially designated as a sign of
appreciation for NHS staff that then
grew to encompass all key workers
who’ve bravely kept the nation
operational. On a personal note, I could
not have continued to attend work if my
son’s school hadn’t remained open for
key workers or if the train service into
London hadn’t been in operation.
What we also witnessed was local
businesses contacting the hospital to
offer their facilities. Parking in the
capital city is limited, but we were able
to offer our staff free parking not only at
the hospitals, but also at other venues
within walking distance to help them
travel into and out of work safely.
‘Key worker’ designation
For the first time, the designation of ‘key
worker’ status included the role of the
security officer. This is the launchpad
that should be used to bring this sector
to the forefront. It’s a ‘seize the moment’
moment. However, there’s a caveat here
in that security personnel are designated
key workers, but not when it comes to
benefits or housing. The second-class
citizen syndrome strikes again.
As we creep into the second wave of
COVID, what are the lessons learned for
staying safe? The Government campaign
focused on ‘Hands, Face, Space’ is
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