§ Sir Anthony GrantTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the security arrangements in NHS hospitals.
§ Mr. DorrellSecurity arrangements at NHS hospitals are the responsibility of and can best be determined by local hospital managers, in the light of their knowledge of their premises and the level of access necessary for patients, staff and visitors.
To help local managers, the National Association of Health Authorities issued the NHS Security Manual to all health authorities in 1984. This is now being revised and updated with the help of a £37,000 grant from the Department.
The new manual will take account of the most recent developments in security and crime prevention techniques and is being developed in consultation with key experts in the field and other interested private and public sector organisations. It will be available for circulation to health authorities and NHS trusts early next year.