Maintain pressure on reforms to protect NHSSlash-proof vests attract NHS enquiries
A revolutionary slash-resistant vest that can protect against knife attacks has attracted interest from community nurses, claim its manufacturers.
The vest, which looks like a normal T-shirt, contains a special slash-proof lining made from Spectra, one of the strongest and lightest artificial fibres – 40% stronger than Kevlar, which is routinely used in bulletproof vests.
The new vest is capable of repelling the equivalent of a fierce slash with an army-style knife.
However, it would not offer protection against a hyperdermic needle or a direct knife stab, which would require bulkier padding that would not be practical for most health professionals, according to its manufacturer, personal safety firm ASEO.
A representative from the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust in London showed interest in the vest at the product’s launch event in London last week.
But ASEO managing director Robert Kaiser said most interest had so far come from lone workers.
‘We have had interest from taxi companies, nurses and midwives – who say they are required to visit people but then often find themselves in a situation of domestic violence or dealing with people under the influence of Class A drugs,’ he said.
‘We have had a number of enquiries from community nurses,’ he told Nursing Times.
The government is currently rolling out 30,000 security alarms to community nurses and other lone workers.
On the issue of violence against health workers, Conservative leader David Cameron promised a fresh crack down in his speech at RCN Congress earlier this month.
Have your say
You must sign in to make a comment.
Online training units, written and reviewed by experts. Earn two hours' CPD and a personalised certificate for your portfolio.
Subscribers get five FREE learning units and non-subscribers can access each learning unit for £10 + VAT.
Share
Readers' comments (1)
mike | 7-Apr-2010 8:21 am
What is needed more than this is a cast iron gaurauntee that a) we can defend ourselves with force WE deem necessary in any situation where we are attacked without the fear of losing our careers or our liberty, and b) a guarauntee that anyone who attacks a Nurse or Doctor will not only have the book thrown at them, but will never be treated on the NHS again.
These measures will stop attacks.
Unsuitable or offensive?