Hospital security teams are under more pressure than ever before. As frontline protectors of staff, patients, and visitors, they’re expected to respond swiftly to everything from physical aggression and complex mental health crises to cybersecurity threats and, increasingly, terrorist risk preparedness.
Yet this essential role is often under-resourced, under-recognised, and under-trained. This blog explores the challenges facing NHS security teams today, backed by recent UK data, and offers practical guidance to help keep people safe and services resilient.
The Top Challenges Hospital Security Teams Face
1. Escalating Violence and Aggression
Physical violence toward NHS staff continues to rise. According to NHS Digital, there were over 122,000 reported incidents of violence against NHS workers in 2022–23, many involving front-line care settings like Emergency Departments and mental health wards.
Security teams are frequently called to intervene in volatile situations involving patients, visitors, or distressed individuals — often without clear policies or training tailored to healthcare environments.
“We are seeing more weapons, more threats to life, and more intense and traumatic incidents – often from people in genuine distress.”
— Security Supervisor, London NHS Trust
2. Mental Health Crises in Emergency Departments
A&E departments are increasingly the default option for people in mental health crisis. The Royal College of Psychiatrists reports that more than 25% of patients in A&E are experiencing severe mental health distress, with many waiting over 48 hours for a psychiatric bed due to the loss of nearly 3,700 mental health beds since 2014.
Security teams are being asked to manage self-harm risks, suicide threats, and behavioural escalation — roles that require trauma-informed, compassionate approaches underpinned by safe systems of work.
3. Cybersecurity Threats and Digital Risk
Security now spans both the physical and digital world. In June 2024, a ransomware attack on Synnovis, a pathology service provider to the NHS, resulted in over 10,000 cancelled outpatient appointments and 1,700 delayed procedures across South East London.
During cyberattacks, security teams often face frustrated patients, reputational damage, and increased tension at hospital entrances — all while trying to maintain calm, continuity, and access control.
4. Staffing Pressures and Role Creep
With NHS-wide recruitment and budget issues, many hospital security teams are under-staffed and stretched across too many roles. Officers are often expected to:
- Assist with high-risk restraint situations
- Respond to lone worker alarms
- Patrol large hospital estates
- Liaise with law enforcement
Without the right training or authority, this scope creep can increase risk — both to the officer and those they’re protecting.
5. The Rising Importance of Martyn’s Law
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, known as Martyn’s Law, is set to apply to NHS hospitals as public venues. This proposed legislation will require hospitals to:
- Conduct and document terrorism threat assessments
- Put in place proportionate protective security measures
- Train staff in response planning
While the law is still progressing through Parliament, NHS trusts are being advised to prepare now. Security officers will be central to any “Protect Duty” implementation — from identifying suspicious activity to helping manage emergency evacuations.
“Martyn’s Law is a reminder that our hospitals, while places of healing, must also be protected spaces. Proactive preparation is essential — and security teams are on the front line of that effort.”
— GoodSense Training Advisor
Top 5 Tips for Hospital Security Teams
1. Invest in Bespoke PMVA and De-escalation Training
Training must reflect real scenarios, not generic workplace risks. Good security training includes:
- Verbal de-escalation and trauma-informed approaches
- Legal frameworks such as the Mental Health Act and Health and Safety at Work Act
- Appropriate, proportionate use of physical interventions
This training should align with Restraint Reduction Network (RRN) standards.
2. Know the Law and Stay Within It
Understanding the legal limits of intervention helps keep everyone safe and protects the reputation of the organisation. Officers should be clear on:
- When and how force may be used
- Human rights considerations in patient care
- Documentation and incident review requirements
3. Collaborate with Clinical Teams
Joint working is critical. Daily briefings, clear escalation protocols, and shared debriefs can:
- Reduce misunderstandings
- Improve incident response
- Foster mutual respect between staff groups
4. Promote a Culture of Reflection and Reporting
Reporting is not about blame — it’s about learning. By reviewing what worked and what didn’t, teams improve and feel safer. Encourage:
- Safe space debriefs
- Near-miss logging
- Honest reflection without fear of repercussion
5. Prepare for the Unexpected
Have protocols in place for:
- Lockdown scenarios
- Suspicious packages or threats
- Cyberattacks or mass disruption events
Test these procedures regularly and ensure all security staff are confident in their roles.
Final Thoughts
Hospital security isn’t just about managing aggression — it’s about protecting people, preventing escalation, and responding professionally when things go wrong.
At GoodSense, we deliver bespoke training to NHS security teams, covering all levels of risk, from day-to-day conflict to major incidents. Our clients range from NHS Trusts and secure mental health units to elite military personnel — so we understand how to prepare staff for high-stakes environments.
Security teams need training, recognition, and support — not just to do their jobs, but to thrive in them. We’re here to help.
Sources:
- NHS Digital – Violence Against NHS Staff Statistics 2022–2023
https://digital.nhs.uk - The Guardian – Patients in mental health crisis wait days in A&E for help, May 2025
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/may/13/mental-health-crisis-waiting-a-and-e-england - NHS England – Update on Synnovis Cyber Incident, September 2024
https://www.england.nhs.uk/london/2024/09/19/update-on-cyber-incident-clinical-impact - Royal College of Psychiatrists – Mental Health Access in Emergency Departments
https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk - UK Home Office – Martyn’s Law: A New Duty to Protect Public Places from Terrorism
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/martyns-law
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