Ninewells Hospital to hold counter-terrorism event

Police, medics and university staff are to take part in a counter-terrorism response event at Dundee's Ninewells Hospital on Tuesday.



NHS Tayside is the first NHS Board in Scotland to host a Project ARGUS event, organised by the National Counter Terrorism Security Office.

Project ARGUS is part of the UK's national counter terrorism response, having been specifically designed by the National Counter Terrorism Security Office for managers and supervising staff across all parts of the NHS.

Tayside Police, supported by Ninewells site management, will deliver the event which will feature a simulated terrorist incident. The simulation will identify the measures to take for preventing, handling and recovering from a terrorist incident.

The terrorist attack on Glasgow Airport in 2007 highlighted the need to develop a proactive approach to security around health care sites and being best prepared for any direct or indirect security breach.

Brian Main, Head of Support Services and Site Manager for Ninewells Hospital, said: "We are really appreciative of Tayside Police taking the time out to come along and present this important security awareness session.

"NHS Tayside and Tayside Police already work very closely on crime prevention measures and this piece of work will serve to highlight how good general security measures can assist a busy healthcare site to respond if required, to acts of terrorism.

"This will hopefully give participants assistance to consider issues that may help them to further develop their business continuity plans."

Angela Wilson, temporary Assistant Chief Constable of Tayside Police, added: "I look forward to meeting participants at this partnership event which I know will be professionally facilitated and well structured.

"It will give participants some ideas to take away and develop to increase their staff's awareness of the main issues that affect us at work and in our communities. It is important to make sure that our normal daily life is not disrupted by terrorism."