Lockdown Procedure

Lockdown Procedure

This document will highlight what you should do in the event of a situation that poses a threat to the safety of people within the hospital.

Some circumstances where a lockdown would be necessary:

• Someone armed has entered the building, no matter if they are actively threatening people or not.

• Someone actively going around assaulting people or threatening it.

• Receiving a threat via phone, letter, email etc.

• An escaped prisoner seen close to the hospital.

Steps to take

If any of these situations come to your attention, or any situation that may need a lockdown that isn't listed, you should report to a higher up immediately, who will set a panic alarm off and contact the police.

In the event a higher up activates lockdown procedures you should start off with listening on the radio for information regarding the threat. 

All patients should be evacuated into safe locations with doors locked. 

It is crucial that the threat should be tracked at all times to help safety measures. 

If the threat is less serious, such as someone assisting people without a weapon, evacuation into safe places for the whole hospital may not be necessary if the threat can be contained within a certain area of the hospital by locking doors.

It is important you prioritize your own safety.

It is important that radios are clear but communication is still occurring short and efficiently. Communication is key to procedures running smoothly and safely.

Once police arrive at the hospital, you should listen to their instructions. Do not return to normal until it is cleared by the police to do so.