FRONTLINE Staff at Scunthorpe General Hospital will benefit from 200 high-tech personal security alarms after health chiefs signed a contract to have the devices in place by early 2010.

Not only will vulnerable health workers who carry out frontline duties with patients who have a history of violence, alcohol or drug abuse, be armed with the high-tech security alarms, but hospital staff who may also be deemed at risk will be issued with the devices.

As reported, a number of NHS staff from across North Lincolnshire were to be handed alarms from October in a bid to increase their safety in the community.

Jug Johal, head of transport, car parking and security at Scunthorpe General Hospital, confirmed the hospital had ordered 200 of the devices.

He said: "We have now finalised the contracts for an allocation of 200 devices which we are hoping to have in full operation by the end of the year and full roll out by Jan 2010."

As many as 140 hospital staff members have been attacked in North Lincolnshire over the past five years – 39 between 2007 and 2008, the highest number during the five-year period.

The alarm looks like a standard ID pass so it can be used discreetly in violent or threatening situations.

It has amber and red alert functions, a built-in microphone, mobile phone SIM and technology so the user can be easily located.

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