nurses on their own OOHs

Re: nurses on their own OOHs

sarah rogers — Wed, 06 May 2009 22:57:43 GMT

hi bouncyfi, my practice isnt in a dodgy area- its just very very big, so you can be one end of the practice and not even know if anyone else is in the practice the other end!! so to have 2 seperate alarms is going to make the nurses feel safer when we are working in the practice alone!!

Re: nurses on their own OOHs

Fiona Leathers — Tue, 05 May 2009 23:27:20 GMT

I think Sarah's practice would worry me! If you have to have so many alarms etc then it must be a bit of a dodgy area!!

We had a practice meeting the other week & have just changed our working alone rules (before there were no rules) Now if we're alone, the second last person has to lock up, put front shutters down & lock emergency door from back. We also have to text as we're leaving just to le them know we've gone.

I never used to be worried but now its always at the front of my brain!

Re: nurses on their own OOHs

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Sun, 03 May 2009 00:03:16 GMT

That sounds fantastic all those alarms, at least the vets have actually done something about it, and the buddy system sounds cool too.

Re: nurses on their own OOHs

sarah rogers — Sat, 02 May 2009 23:50:19 GMT

hi sorry for the late reply but thought i would give everyone an update on our security!!

we are getting:

a dual alarm system, to alarm the clinical and recption area seperate!!
2 panic rooms to hind in
our rape alarm is going straight to a security guard and his dog!!
lots more locks and better doors
cctv

at the moment the nurses are doing a buddy up system, where we stay 2gether overnight, so we are not alone!! its nice to have a bit of company!!

but im stuck at work all weekend, as i am buddy tonight just got to bed after final checks, got to be up early to start work and its actually my night to work 2moro!! going to be a bit tired me thinks!!

sarah x

Re: nurses on their own OOHs

sarah rogers — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:48:23 GMT

thanks for all your replies and support!!

the reason the nurse went over when the alarm went off, as it has gone off b4 for no reason and she didnt even think about the thought of burglers!!

we are having a meeting with the partners (we have 5!!) and the police about improving our security and safety so we feel safe.

at the moment the vet is staying with us although this is apparantly a no go as a perminant fixture!!

i will let you know how the meeting goes on thurs.

but the partners are taking it seriously and reiterated we are not to go over the practice if the alarm goes off, or answer the door unless the vet is there.

got my duty thurs night!! am very scared tho

Re: nurses on their own OOHs

Frith — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:19:20 GMT

It certainly is a worrying state of affairs. the credit crunch is hitting everyone hard, and often means that crime increases, and like it or not it does mean that businesses including practices are going to be reluctant to spend money.

I would like to think that there are very few of you who genuinely have bosses who have a total disregard for your personal safety, but it's a balancing act. At the very least if you are on the premises over night, there should be a substantiale lockable door between where you sleep and the practice premises. Again most practices I have worked at have had an alarm directley hooked up to the police (which can be a bit embarassing when your boss has accidentally locked you in turned on the alarm and you get caught by the police climbing over a 7 foot gate to get out. But that's another story)

You certainly should not be expected to answer the door to anyone on your own at night, and this rule should be quit strict to stop well meaning members of staff being tricked by unscruplious people who will do anything to get in.

Re: nurses on their own OOHs

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:02:38 GMT

[quote user="kezzathecat"] think after being told off he's going to go out and buy us the security that we deserve! [/quote]

Well done Kezza

Re: nurses on their own OOHs

Kerry Spain — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:30:37 GMT

HAHAHA CLASSIC!!

After posting my last post a nice policeman walked into the surgery wanting to speak to our boss... we asked him why and he said he was here to follow up security measures which we had been advised to take. We told him our boss said it was too expensive and he wasn't going to bother... needless to say the nice policeman was NOT very happy with our silly boss!!! muhahahahahaha

I think after being told off he's going to go out and buy us the security that we deserve!

Re: nurses on their own OOHs

Claire Cameron — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:43:22 GMT

We are also in a similar situation, not been robbed - YET but had two very nasty incidences of verbal abuse, in one case a drunken man tried to attack the vet

We asked for CCTV, amongst other security measures, and we got the reply "well we're trying not to spend money at the minute as every penny we have is going into becoming a tier 3 hospital"

Nice to know our safety is appreciated........

Re: nurses on their own OOHs

Kerry Spain — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:24:38 GMT

BASTARDS

This type of story really annoyes me, we are faced with a similar situation at the moment. Most of you are aware about the armed robberies which have been taking place since before christmas time at vets around the Manchester area. One of our nurses arrived at the surgery to open up on saturday morning to find 4 hoodies hanging around. She described the situation as very suspicious as they seemed to be startled at the fact that she had turned up! She phoned the police and they showed up on tuesday... yes TUESDAY! This was a follow up after the initial call.

We had a practice meeting about the safety and security of the staff and requested proper recording CCTV equipment. Needless to say the boss said it was too expensive??!!

How can you put a price on someones safety?? So I've said I'd send him the bill for my reconstructive surgery for when I get screwdrivered in the face!

Re: nurses on their own OOHs

Caro Laithwaite VN — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:19:45 GMT

I am shocked that a nurse would do alarm duty that should be the practice principle or a male. You should at least have your practice set up with the alarm divert that goes to a central area. If it goes off they call the police in (not allowed a direct police nowadays)

A damm sight safer. I would refuse point blank to do alarm cover and know other females who do the same.

If you contact your local police they will send someone around to go through the full security set up and also if you have any worries they will help deal with it.

Re: nurses on their own OOHs

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:49:15 GMT

Hi, sorry to hear about this, it must be pretty worrying for you guys.

Your Employer is ultimately responsible for your health and safety, although there are things an employee has to do also to ensure they stay safe as well.

I think with what has happened, I like you would be wanting something more in place than just an alarm.

You can get alarms linked to the police, and also panic alarms, which means you can set off the main alarm with a thing you carry on you at all times while in the building.

Another thing is CCTV, around the building, it acts as a detterant just as much as an alarm........ plus it's good for identifying people who dump animals on the doorstep... as well as potential burglars,but that aside, I would definitely be speaking to your boss about more practical safety measures being put in place.

Re: nurses on their own OOHs

hissycat — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:14:01 GMT

have the police been any help? Our practice is included in their night patrols, they drive around the building and car park just to keep an eye on things and keep a police presence. We also have a number we can call to get hold of our local policeman if we get worried about anything. Do you have anything similar in your area? you can also get personal alarms that link to a security company, I think they do necklace style ones now aswell. The practice have to think of your safety, they can't just ignore these things! I also keep my mobile with me at all times incase I need to call for help. Luckily our vets (and nurses) are lovely and i'm sure they wouldn't mind coming to sit with us for a bit if anything dodgy was going on. Let us know how you get on, these things are horrible when they happen and it can take a while to feel secure again.

Re: nurses on their own OOHs

Claire Cameron — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:50:48 GMT

[quote user="sarah rogers"]

thanks for that vicki- am even more worried now as they burgled us again last night, while the vet and nurse where oping on a GDV!! but got disterbed by the vet and ran off- they had managed to get our drug safe up to the window and nearly out and had a wheel barrow outside the window to wheel it away!!

they had also sprayed the outside alarm with foam to obviously stop it going off- but tit was already off as there was staff in the practice!!!

we are havign a vet stay with us as a `short term measure` as put by our partners!!!

but us nurses are gonig to make a stand, but just not sure where we do stand!!

[/quote]

This is worrying, i really really feel for you guys,

What has your boss said about a long term plan? are you a member of the BVNA? try asking them for advice? or citizens advice bureau re legalities?

Sorry not really much help. xxx

Re: nurses on their own OOHs

sarah rogers — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:36:47 GMT

they had also sprayed the outside alarm with foam to obviously stop it going off- but tit was already off as there was staff in the practice!!!

we are havign a vet stay with us as a `short term measure` as put by our partners!!!

but us nurses are gonig to make a stand, but just not sure where we do stand!!

Re: nurses on their own OOHs

Vicky RVN — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:46:56 GMT

Here is the link...

http://www.vetnurse.co.uk/forums/p/642/1336.aspx#1336

Re: nurses on their own OOHs

Mrs Dot Dot — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:19:30 GMT

Hi .. just found it.... if you search ' Lone Working' in the Life in Practice..... not sure how to link it .... you will get some views/ ideas

Re: nurses on their own OOHs

Mrs Dot Dot — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:16:06 GMT

Hi Sarah.... sounds prety scary.... I haven't had any experience but I know there is a another thread on here about similar situations... I'll see if I can find it or SaskiaVN, STRVN, Caro or Sal will definately know.