Why Healthcare Security Officers Need Better Protection

In today’s volatile hospital environment, healthcare security officers face an unprecedented level of risk. Violence against healthcare workers is rising sharply, and those tasked with protecting medical staff and patients are under increasing pressure. With emotionally charged situations becoming more common, ranging from mentally distressed patients to individuals under the influence, healthcare and hospital security staff are on the verge of a growing safety crisis. 

According to the CDC, 70% of all workplace trauma incidents in 2019 occurred in the healthcare sector. The reports show that healthcare workers are four times more likely to experience workplace violence than workers in private industry.  

In the UK, the statistics tell a similar story, according to the latest 2024 NHS Staff Survey, approximately 1 in 7 NHS staff (14.38%) have experienced at least one incident of physical violence from patients, their relatives or other members of the public last year.  

The data shows that physical violence on healthcare staff has increased by almost 14% since 2023. However, this does not account for the number of incidents that don’t get reported each year. The fact remains that at least 25% of NHS staff who experience physical violence at work do not report it to the authorities, even though the data shows that reporting has gradually improved since 2022. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The report reveals that 1 in 4 NHS staff have experienced at least one incident of harassment, bullying, or abuse from patients or members of the public in 2024. It also shows that only 54% of Staff who experienced harassment, bullying or abuse reported the incident to a senior colleague. That means that almost half (46%) of the abuse that goes on in hospitals and healthcare facilities goes unheard. Unsurprisingly, over 41% of NHS staff have admitted feeling unwell due to work-related stress in the last 12 months.  

These numbers may only be statistics, yet they indicate a clear rise in workplace violence and abuse, signalling a deeper crisis impacting recruitment, morale, and most critically, safety in healthcare. 

 

The Unique Challenge Facing Healthcare Security Services 

Hospital security officers are required to manage far more than traditional security threats. As the Former NHS Head of Healthcare Security, John Currie explains: 

 “What can be a quiet Emergency Department or Ward can suddenly erupt into an exceptionally violent, aggressive, and volatile situation in the blink of an eye.” 

These officers must not only protect staff and patients but also respond with sensitivity to those suffering from mental health conditions, dementia, or drug-induced psychosis. Their role often includes: 

• Working collaboratively with clinical teams 

• Conducting rapid, dynamic risk assessments 

• Applying healthcare-based conflict resolution tactics 

• Understanding mental health and dementia care principles 

This high-pressure, dynamic environment demands specialised skills and appropriate protective measures. 

 

What Security Training is Available to Healthcare Staff 

To support the challenges faced by security officers in the care industry, many healthcare providers now invest in bespoke training far beyond standard SIA Physical Intervention qualifications. Advanced programs often include: 

• PMVA (Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression) 

• Patient dignity and safeguarding protocols 

• Mental health and dementia awareness 

• Bed-based restraint techniques 

Crucially, these training methods are clinically integrated, ensuring officers can act legally, ethically, and with empathy. 

 

Why PPE for Security Officers Is a Necessity, not a Choice 

Despite these realities, hospital security officers have historically been discouraged from wearing PPE such as stab vests due to concerns over its perception, specifically, looking “too paramilitary.” But as threats increase, this perception is rapidly changing. 

Hospital security guards face the daily risk of being assaulted by unstable patients or members of the public using knives, needles or any makeshift weapon. Many security guards and hospital staff have to deal with these threats with little more than their wits and limited training. And in some tragic cases, the lack of PPE has led to serious injury or even death, prompting scrutiny from Health and Safety Executives and Coroners over whether employers did enough to mitigate foreseeable risks. 

As a result, more Trusts and private healthcare providers are now issuing more essential PPE to hospital staff and healthcare security officers, such as body-worn video cameras, cut-resistant clothing, and most critically, stab-resistant body armour. 

At PPSS Group, we currently supply approximately 66 hospitals, NHS Trusts or healthcare teaching clinics with certified stab-resistant body armour to healthcare security officers in the UK. However, the NHS infrastructure in England alone has a huge footprint, including 1,140 hospitals and 7,500 primary care sites. 

As a main provider of certified stab-resistant PPE, we supply less than 6% of NHS hospitals with the lifesaving protection their security teams need to keep staff and patients safe. That means that potentially 94% of NHS healthcare security officers in the UK lack the proper protection required to do the job.   

The Role of Body Armour Protection in Healthcare Security 

PPSS Stab-Resistant Body Armour is designed for unpredictable, high-risk environments like busy city hospitals, clinics and care sites. However, unlike military-style vests, PPSS body armour is: 

• Lightweight and discreet 

• Comfortable for long shifts and agile movement 

• Seamlessly integrated with standard hospital uniforms 

• Resistant to knives, spikes, hypodermic needles and blunt force trauma 

• Home Office Certified for knife resistance (KR1) and spike resistance (SP1) 

• NIJ Standard Certification – Threat Level 1 for spikes and edged blades 

For security staff involved in physical interventions, whether restraining a violent patient or preventing a weapon-based assault, this protection can mean the difference between going home safe or not going home at all. 

Equipping hospital security teams with body armour not only improves physical safety but also reduces injury-related absences and compensation claims, boosts morale and confidence, and demonstrates a tangible commitment to duty of care. 

 

Technology That Supports Healthcare Officer Safety 

Personal protective equipment is vital, but it must be part of a larger system of safety. Many hospitals now implement robust security procedures, including: 

• Access control systems: Restricting entry to high-risk zones 

• Emergency communication tools: Enabling coordinated responses 

• Wearable panic buttons: Allowing discreet and instant calls for help 

• Video surveillance: Supporting both deterrence and post-incident analysis 

• Visitor ID verification and staff background checks: Reducing internal threats 

Additionally, clear policies around restraint, aggression management, and incident reporting help shape a workplace culture where safety is prioritised. 

Hospital security officers must also be briefed on up-to-date risk assessments, particularly when dealing with patients transferred from police custody. Given that many work in small teams without access to mechanical restraints, timely communication is essential. 

 

A Safer Hospital Starts with Protecting Security Staff 

When hospital security officers are well-equipped, well-trained, and well-supported, the entire care environment becomes safer. These officers act as the first line of defence, helping clinical teams maintain calm, prevent escalation, and protect vulnerable patients. Investing in their welfare, both physical and psychological, isn’t just the right thing to do but a strategic necessity in today’s healthcare landscape. 

 

A Critical Layer of Protection 

Workplace violence in healthcare isn’t a distant concern; it’s happening now, in hospitals across the UK and worldwide. For healthcare providers serious about improving safety, now is the time to re-evaluate protocols, training, and equipment. 

PPSS Stab-Resistant Body Armour offers a critical layer of protection for those who risk their lives to keep others safe. Combining this with the right training, effective procedures, and a safety-first culture can transform healthcare security from a vulnerable weak spot into a cornerstone of care. 

About the Author

Richard Fox is the Director of Operations at PPSS Group, a UK and US registered company specialising in high-performance body armour and protective clothing. With a military background, Richard brings over three decades of experience to his role. At PPSS Group, he oversees global operations, HR, quality assurance, and compliance. Richard is committed to advancing personal safety solutions for frontline professionals and individuals at risk from workplace violence, ensuring they have access to the most effective protective gear available.