Improving Security at Hospital Entrances

Hospitals are some of the busiest public buildings in any town. Thousands of patients, visitors, suppliers and staff pass through each day, often in distress or in a hurry. Security has to protect people and property without turning the entrance into an obstacle.

Separate the flows

Patients, visitors, staff, ambulances and deliveries should not all use the same entrance. Where the layout allows it, give each group its own route and make signage clear. Fewer mixed flows means fewer arguments at the gate.

Set and publish visiting rules

Written visiting hours, the number of visitors per patient and the items that may not be brought in remove most disputes. Officers can then apply a rule rather than an opinion.

Register and escort where it matters

Not every visitor needs a pass. Restricted areas such as pharmacies, theatres, maternity and records need controlled entry. Visitor registration, a pass and an escort where necessary are reasonable controls for these areas.

Keep emergency access clear

Ambulance routes must never be blocked by parked cars. Parking control is a security and safety function.

Choose and train officers carefully

Entrance officers need patience, courtesy and the confidence to say no. Training in customer care, first aid and incident reporting matters as much as physical presence.

Use technology to support, not replace, people

• CCTV on entrances, pharmacies and car parks gives a record of events.
• Access control on restricted doors makes it easy to withdraw access.
• An occurrence book or incident report gives management a pattern over time.

Start with an assessment

Walk the entrances at peak hours and at night. Note where queues form, which doors stay unlocked and where people take shortcuts. A short written assessment will tell you whether you need more officers, better procedures or better equipment.