The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 272 No 7297 p536
1 May 2004

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PSNC in talks over alarms for pharmacists

Discussions are taking place between the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and the NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service about the provision of personal attack alarms for community pharmacists.

The alarms, designed as identity badge holders which incorporate mobile telephone technology, are being tested in two parts of the UK. Pharmacists are not currently involved in the pilots. The badges, which are about the size of a pack of playing cards and weigh 78g, automatically make a one-way telephone call if pulled off their lanyard. Calls can also be initiated by pressing a concealed button if the wearer feels threatened. The recipient of the call can then covertly monitor and record what is happening and the cellular telephone technology allows the approximate position of the caller to be determined.