Assist Security Group (ASG) has announced an expansion of its NHS training services after Senior NHS Account Manager Paul Grzegorzek secured the advanced NFPS Level 3 PMVA/Physical Restraint Instructor Accreditation.
The certification, issued by the National Federation for Personal Safety (NFPS) and backed by Pearson, enables ASG to offer enhanced violence prevention and management training across NHS trusts, where staff face increasing risks of assault.
NHS Staff Survey
Recent NHS Staff Survey data reveals 14% of NHS staff experienced physical violence from patients, relatives or the public in 2024, with Emergency Departments accounting for 20% of all NHS assaults.
Mental health wards reported 17,340 serious incidents between April 2022-2023
This violence costs the NHS approximately £69 million annually in direct expenses, with indirect costs adding thousands more per staff member lost to turnover or absence.
The rising trend of violence affects all healthcare settings. Mental health wards reported 17,340 serious incidents between April 2022-2023, while studies indicate 56% of nurses experience lasting psychological effects from assaults. These issues directly impact patient care, staff retention and operational efficiency.
ASG's expanded training portfolio
ASG's expanded training portfolio now includes:
- Conflict Resolution Training: A half-day programme teaching staff to identify and de-escalate potential conflicts using the Conflict Management Model framework, active listening techniques, and the recognition of aggression triggers.
- Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression Lvl 1 (PMVA): A comprehensive one-day course focusing on patient-centred approaches to managing challenging behaviour, including safer handling techniques and medical implications of restraint. Lvl 2 and Lvl 3 are available upon completion of Lvl 1.
- Breakaway Training: Practical sessions providing defensive techniques and disengagement skills for frontline healthcare workers.
Troy Hewitt, CEO of ASG, said: "Healthcare workers face unacceptable levels of violence while trying to deliver care. Our expanded training services, led by Paul's expertise, give NHS staff practical skills to protect themselves, their colleagues and vulnerable patients."
Operational NHS experience
ASG has already delivered specialised training to staff at several Trusts
The courses are delivered by instructors with operational NHS experience, ensuring training is relevant to specific healthcare environments. ASG has already delivered specialised training to staff at several Trusts.
Paul Grzegorzek, Senior NHS Account Manager, commented: "Having worked operationally within the NHS for many years, I understand the unique challenges healthcare professionals face. This certification allows us to develop bespoke training that addresses specific departmental needs, from high-pressure ED settings to mental health units and paediatric wards."
NHS National Syllabus
The training is structured to meet NHS National Syllabus requirements and complies with relevant legal frameworks. Courses include role-play scenarios tailored to specific workplace environments, helping staff apply techniques in realistic situations.
With 25% of ambulance staff reporting harassment or abuse in 2024, ASG's training extends beyond hospital settings to support paramedics and community healthcare workers. This aligns with the NHS's commitment to protect workers across all service areas.
ASG's training complements
ASG's training complements its wider security service offerings for healthcare environments
ASG's training complements its wider security service offerings for healthcare environments, creating an integrated approach to NHS safety and security management. The company's intelligence-led methodology ensures security measures are proactive rather than reactive.
For NHS facilities and operations managers seeking to enhance staff safety and reduce the impact of violent incidents, ASG offers training at competitive rates.
Conflict resolution courses
"Prevention is always more cost-effective than dealing with the aftermath of violence," said Grzegorzek. "Many trusts we work with report significant improvements in staff confidence and reductions in serious incidents following our training programmes."
Classes are limited to ensure quality, with a maximum of 25 participants for classroom-based conflict resolution courses and 12-16 for practical skills training. Programmes can be delivered at client premises or at ASG-provided venues.
Management and de-escalation techniques
All training includes a comprehensive assessment of participant competency and meets the requirements for staff mandatory training in conflict management and de-escalation techniques.
Tailored options for high-risk departments, including ED and mental health units, address specific operational challenges.
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