Hospital security is vital for protecting hospital employees, patients and visitors from aggressive, violent and anti-social behaviours at hospitals around New Zealand.

Armourguard provides security services to a number of hospitals and health centres in the Manawatu, Whanganui, Horowhenua and Northland regions, including Palmerston North and Whāngarei hospitals. Our teams there share their experiences.

Palmerston North Hospital Security

Armourguard has undertaken security services at Palmerston North Hospital since 1998.

A ‘typical’ day involves 24 x 7 security in the emergency department, internal and external site patrols, CCTV monitoring and escorting hospital staff to their cars at night. Other routine duties include site hazard reporting, fire drills and car park patrols.

These hospital security services are delivered by four permanent teams, each comprising three people.  However, there is rarely a ‘typical’ day so extra guards are often brought in to help with short-notice ad-hoc events such as extra assistance needed to manage an aggressive person where necessary as part of clinical intervention.

The work can be very hands-on, and these highly skilled guards are trained to restrain highly agitated or violent people where necessary. The guards are also trained to issue trespass notices.

“I have found Armourguard to be very responsive to the dynamic, complex and changing situations they must manage when undertaking security at the hospital, No matter what time of day or night it is, I can ring and get extra guards if needs be.”

Dave Christophers, Regional Security, Fire and Distribution Services Manager

The team’s most experienced guard, Wayne Casey, has worked at the hospital for 18 years.

He says restraining or trespassing people is a last resort: “We know how to size up a situation very quickly and made decisions on the spot. Where possible, we de-escalate things by using ‘tongue-fu’ rather than ‘kung-fu’ because many situations can be resolved with good communication.”

Wayne says that, despite the challenges, he enjoys the work because no two days are the same.

“You can never plan your day in this job because what started as a quiet shift can all change very quickly.”

Dave Christophers (the Regional Security, Fire and Distribution Services Manager of the hospital’s security contracts) says he appreciates being able to count on Armourguard to deliver no matter what the situation.

“I have found Armourguard to be very responsive to the dynamic, complex and changing situations they must manage when undertaking security at the hospital,” he says. “No matter what time of day or night it is, I can ring and get extra guards if needs be.”

Whāngarei Hospital Security

Armourguard has been providing security services to Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Te Tai Tokerau (formally Northland DHB) since 2014, and currently has around 28 people working at hospitals throughout the region.

As is the case with the Central Region, our Northland team provides 24/7 security cover to ensure the safety of DHB staff, patients, property and members of the public.

Whangārei Hospital is the biggest of the four hospitals and has 18 security personnel on site – 12 guards, three CCTV monitoring controllers and three extra guards for assignments involving keeping an eye on individual patients.  These staff work in core teams made up of three guards and a controller.

Excellent communication skills are a must because the security team engages with a wide range of people from health professionals, patients and visitors.

“My favourite part of the job is helping people and I find it rewarding giving assistance to someone who is going through a difficult time, so that they end up feeling happier, safer and more secure.  Often the small things, such as helping a lost person find their way, can make a big difference to how someone feels about their hospital experience.”

Adam Hanson, Armourguard Security Guard

Whangārei Hospital security guard Adam Hanson says much of his hospital security role involves keeping the peace and providing a calming environment.

“My favourite part of the job is helping people and I find it rewarding giving assistance to someone who is going through a difficult time, so that they end up feeling happier, safer and more secure.  Often the small things, such as helping a lost person find their way, can make a big difference to how someone feels about their hospital experience. There’s a lot going on in the hospital and every hour of every day we see a wide range of emotions.”

Don Robertson Services Manager for Security in Northland appreciates the services provided by Armourguard. ‘It is really important for our guards to be able to understand the drivers of the individuals they come into contact with, empathy, communication and fairness going a long way to providing a positive and safe experience in our hospitals’ said Don.