Police could be stationed at hospital

FULL time police officers could be stationed on site at Ipswich Hospital in an effort to boost security.

On Monday the Evening Star revealed how a new regime at the Heath Road site could see violent patients being banned and sent elsewhere for treatment.

Now under a new security scheme a full time police officer could be stationed at the hospital along with extra CCTV cameras.

A dedicated security policy group has been set up to look at ways of improving security at the hospital following a recent security risk assessment and a visit by the Health and Safety Executive.

The visit by the HSE highlighted the need for the Hospital Trust to develop more robust and effective means of managing violence and aggression.

Alarm systems for staff are also among some of the ideas due to be considered at a public board meeting of the Hospital Trust today.

Various projects are already underway including the review of lone working arrangements, managing violence and aggression and an initiative called Respect for Others.

More training looks set to be given at different levels from how to diffuse a situation to restraining patients for their own safety and the safety of those around them.

Hospital spokeswoman Jan Rowsell said that it was not a case of assaults on staff rising but more people were now being prosecuted and the Hospital wanted to encourage doctors and nurses to come forward.

She said: "It is a very small number of people who do behave like this.

"But it is that minority who have to be dealt with because the health and safety of everyone is jeopardised by very few people."

Under the new scheme, patients who pose a threat to staff and other hospital users are given warnings at various stages to let them know that if they carry on they will be refused treatment and sent somewhere else.