Safe Hub is live on the NHS Supply Chain Framework

21 Sep 2018

Lone Worker Solutions is delighted to announce our selection to the NHS Supply Chain Framework.  NHS Supply Chain selected the SOS Fob device from Lone Worker Solutions within the personal safety alarms product category. This agreement follows the conclusion of a competitive tender process run by the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).

Lone working in the NHS Protecting the people who look after us  

In the UK, an estimated 100,000 nursing professionals work alone or out-of-sight of colleagues every day. There are more than 50,000 GPs, all of whom see patients in consulting rooms and most without a colleague present. Midwives, physiotheapists, in-home care support, social workers; there’s a huge range of lone working roles. A district nurse may be visiting a client in their own home, while a security guard patrols a central city hospital. It may seem that workers based in clinics or hospitals are never alone. Yet nurses, doctors, and triage teams, as well as security and reception staff, can often be out of sight or earshot of colleagues. This can place them at an increased risk of accident, or aggressive behaviour from service users.

One key challenge is dealing with people who are upset or non-compliant. There were over 70,000 attacks on staff in the NHS in 2015-16, and lone workers disproportionately sustained injury in such attacks. Our discreet lone worker safety devices play a vital role in protecting these professionals while they do their job (Source HSE).

Lone Worker Solutions is delighted to announce our selection to the NHS Supply Chain Framework.  NHS Supply Chain selected the SOS Fob device from Lone Worker Solutions within the personal safety alarms product category. This agreement follows the conclusion of a competitive tender process run by the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).

The new Framework launched on 1 September replaces previous Framework agreements. The two-year programme has the option to extend for a further two years. It’s available to the NHS, private-sector health care providers, and the broader public sector. The intention is to make procurement of lone worker safety services a simple, quick and efficient process. Companies within the Framework must adhere to the high standards demanded by the NHS, for the benefit of all those under its care.

Our full range of apps and devices is available within the NHS Framework
The Framework includes our SOS Fob. This robust and discreet personal safety device provides a range of emergency, buddy and reactive support features to lone workers. Many of our healthcare sector clients use this device, which is ideally suited for protecting staff in a range of different roles. We have had a great deal of positive feedback from end-users of the devices, and from their managers.

NHS Trusts and other healthcare providers will also be able to access the full range of our apps and devices within the Safe Hub system. Certified to BS8484:2016 standards our system has achieved the coveted Secured by Design award.  We commit to offering the lowest possible pricing for healthcare providers to access our services. In addition, we provide a completely flexible approach with terms ranging from 1 to 5 years.

Healthcare providers can choose between two different methods of supply. Under the ‘Non-Direct’ route, NHS Supply Chain can purchase products from preferred suppliers. They then make them available to NHS Trusts, private healthcare providers, or government departments and agencies. In the ‘Direct’ method, organisations enter into a contract directly with the supplier through the Framework.

NHS Framework gives a level of comfort to healthcare providers
Our usual managed service approach supports our presence in the NHS Framework. This enables Trusts to deploy quickly and easily at the lowest possible cost across a range of contract terms. Our simple and effective rollout programme for Safe Hub, our proprietary safety system, focuses on putting end-users first. To ensure lone workers are entirely comfortable with the features of Safe Hub, we break through the fear barrier at the outset with extensive training. Our dedicated account management team provides unparalleled back-up and support over the course of any contract.

“We’re delighted to have been chosen as an approved supplier on NHS Supply Chain’s Framework Agreement. We already have contracts with a number of NHS agencies and are hugely proud of the service which we offer to protect their lone workers.  Selection to this new Framework reassures healthcare providers that we offer value for money in delivering excellent lone worker protection.” George Stavrinidis, Lone Worker Solutions Chief Executive Officer