Marie Curie Cancer Care Case Study
Marie Curie Cancer Care is dedicated to maximising the quality of life for cancer patients throughout the UK. While the charity operates 10 hospices, Marie Curie also employs a high number of visiting Nurses responsible for providing the highest quality of care to patients in their own homes. From the most remote rural communities to large urban areas, the Nurses work alone across a diverse range of environments. Acknowledging its responsibilities under H&S legislation and duty of care and by identifying and understanding specific risks encountered by its Lone Workers, Marie Curie investigated a range of safety systems before deciding on solutions provided by Argyll.
The Nurses may work at any hour of the day, but generally at night and visiting patients for as long as 8 or 9 hours at a time. As they must travel alone and particularly after dark, the role carries with it a risk of facing aggression or violence from members of the public - either in the street or within places of residence. Following risk assessments, Marie Curie identified a need to establish effective time and risk management for its Nurses. It also required access to information on their safety and whereabouts at all times.
The Lone Worker Solution for Marie Curie
Utilising Mobicare, Argyll’s sophisticated Lone Worker safety monitoring solution, the Marie Curie Nurses are given the means to summon assistance should they find themselves in danger. Through Argyll’s integrated Control Room, Marie Curie manages and monitors its Nurse’s locations and time at risk and provides them with an effective duress facility 24/7.
How Mobicare Works
Mobicare allows the Nurses to notify Argyll while they are out ‘on-shift’ and potentially at risk. Time-based reminders ensure that the Nurses interact periodically and notify Argyll that all is well. However, should a Nurse encounter difficulties and miss a reminder, the Argyll control room will follow up, thus ensuring their personal safety.
Fundamentally, should a Nurse experience jeopardy, they are a single button-press away from summoning assistance - quickly and discreetly. Using a preconfigured button on their mobile phone, they can issue a duress signal which instantly alerts Argyll’s 24/7 manned control room and simultaneously opens a voice channel enabling Operators to listen in. Trained Operators then put into effect an agreed incident management procedure and, if required, use existing links with the Police to ensure a swift response. Sophisticated voice recording ensures that every incident is captured and can be produced as evidence if required.
Why Argyll’s Lone Worker Solution?
The Nurses feel the benefit of this high level of support, giving them the
reassurance needed to get on with the job. Marie Curie recently carried out a
survey asking the Nurses’ for feedback:
“I have had a few problems [understanding the technology]. Last time I spoke
with someone from Mobicare he was patient, helpful, gave me time to clarify
things - I have completed confidence in Mobicare”
“Finding it very reassuring as a service and helps you to feel much more
relaxed in relation to personal safety.”
“I think it is an excellent system and very easy to use. It gives my family and
I peace of mind about working in the sometimes isolated areas that I work in.”
Marie Curie Cancer Care is just one of many organisations to have chosen Argyll because of its experience, expertise, flexibility and range of services and devices. Current clients include a variety of commercial companies, charities and public sector organisations, including the Capita Group PLC, Greater Glasgow Health Board, Humbercare Ltd, London Borough of Enfield and Sacro.
Argyll operates at the forefront of mobile technology and software and works in partnership with a number of high profile organisations including mobile operators and device manufacturers. The company continually invests in failsafe and uninterruptible IT systems and operates an integrated control room.
Argyll provides the best technical means of minimising risk and monitoring personal safety. Its services aid compliance with current Health & Safety legislation, can be customised to your organisational requirements and are compatible with client’s existing handsets, PDA, BlackBerry®.
Further Information
For further information on the Argyll's Mobicare Service or to place an order:
