Staff at Aarhus University Hospital call for enhanced security measures in response to patient violence

Staff from eight different professional groups at the Forensic Psychiatry Department of Aarhus University Hospital are calling for enhanced security within the facility. They have sent an open letter to the Regional Council of Central Denmark following a tragic incident in March, where a male patient fatally stabbed another patient using a kitchen knife purchased during an unsupervised outing.

In response to this event, hand-held metal detectors have been introduced in the department, but the groups believe this is insufficient. They are advocating for the installation of walkthrough and bag scanners at the entrance to further bolster safety measures. The staff highlight that incidents of violence have been increasing in psychiatric settings, raising concerns not only in forensic psychiatry but across the entire mental health system.

Forensic psychiatry deals with patients who have been diagnosed with mental disorders and have been convicted or accused of criminal acts. The legal system often opts for treatment instead of punishment for such individuals, leading to various forms of care.

Healthcare professionals argue that the introduction of scanners is a necessary step towards ensuring safety. The complexity of the situation is compounded by staffing issues, as personnel are currently responsible for scanning duties, detracting from their time spent on patient care.

Local politicians have acknowledged the staff’s concerns and expressed a willingness to consider the security enhancements being proposed, recognizing the ongoing challenges faced by psychiatric facilities.

While some advocate for the scanners, others warn that they may not address the underlying issues of security and care quality, emphasizing the need for better staffing and training as fundamental solutions to reduce violent incidents in forensic psychiatric settings.