Panic Alarm Protocol

Beechdale Health Centre

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This document and the information contained therein is the property of Beechdale Health Centre.

This document contains information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure. It must not be used by, or its contents reproduced or otherwise copied or disclosed without the prior consent in writing from Beechdale Health Centre.

B. Document Details

Classification: Author and Role: Organisation: Beechdale Health Centre Document Reference: Current Version Number: Current Document Approved By: Date Approved:

C. Document Revision and Approval History

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Doc. Ref – Version – Filename: Panic Alarm Protocol Page 1 of 3 Introduction

There are a number of different types of alarm now available in general practice:  On-screen buttons which may be used to summon help;  Traditional wall-mounted panic buttons attached to wired intruder alarms systems, which may, or may not, activate an alert to a central monitoring control centre.

The purpose of this Protocol is to identify the procedure Practice Staff will follow in the event of an alarm being activated, on the assumption that this is at a location where an individual is perceived to be at risk.

Use and Activation

Panic alarms are used to alert staff that assistance is required in aggressive situations. They must not be used in emergency clinical situations – telephones must be used for all non-aggression events.

Practice staff should use the alarm if they feel threatened by: • Verbal or physical disruption; • Verbal aggression; • Physical aggression or threat of physical violence or mental distress; • Physical violence.

All staff should trust their instincts and activate the alarm if they feel a situation is likely to develop.

Protocol when an Alarm Activates

When a Practice staff member decides to activate an alarm, they should be aware that the standing instruction is that two people should attend the site of the activation together, and where a third person is available they should stand at a discrete distance (e.g. further down the corridor) ready to: • Activate the static alarm which will notify the control centre that there is a personal attack situation, which will generate a police presence, and • Dial 999 for the Police, advising them of the alarm activation.

One of the two attending staff members will knock and enter the room, with only a very short pause for a response. They will assess the situation as quickly as possible and may say ask the Doctor / Room Owner to: “Come quickly to help a patient”

This may give the room occupant time to leave the room before the aggressor has time to react.

Notifying the CQC of incidents reported to, or investigated by the Police

The Practice is required to notify the CQC without delay of incidents reported to, or investigated by the Police.

Doc. Ref – Version – Filename: Panic Alarm Protocol Page 2 of 3 There is a dedicated Notification form for this type of incident. The form is contained in the Outcome 20 document “Notification of Other Incidents – Outcome 20 Composite Statements and Forms”

Practice Manager or Senior Receptionist at the Practice is responsible for notifying the CQC without delay if there is an occurrence of this type of incident.

Alarm Types Descriptions / Locations Deactivation Instructions Reception Desk Office Door Static – Intruder System Code on Key for alarm Back Door All Clinical Rooms under desks

Computer Screen Software All screens when logged on Administrator to reset (button)

Doc. Ref – Version – Filename: Panic Alarm Protocol Page 3 of 3