Security Risk - Face Masks
April 22, 2021
We recently became aware of damage caused to a chair by the nylon string attached to the standard NHS disposable face mask. As well as raising concerns around damage to property, this also has safety implications for our more vulnerable patients, with opportunities for self-harm, ligature risk and harm to others.
You may see clips on social media about how the masks can be mis-used, and these can be viewed by anyone.
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As fraud risks continue to evolve, staying informed and vigilant is more important than ever. This summer, SAFE is proud to launch a comprehensive Fraud Awareness Webinar Series designed to equip our clients and the wider healthcare community with the knowledge and tools to detect, prevent, and respond to fraud effectively. Why Attend? Fraud is a growing threat that impacts organisations across all industries. Our expert-led webinars will cover a range of timely topics, including mandate fraud, imposter fraud, the fraud triangle and the benefits of early intervention.

When Sarah Whitaker approached an introductory care agency to find a carer for her 89 year old father she expected they would refer a suitably qualified and professional carer. Instead, Sarah was 'horrified' to discover that an unqualified imposter had been in her fathers home for almost three weeks! Unfortunately Sarah's story, reported by Sky News , is not as uncommon as one might expect. In January 2024, a man admitted impersonating a nurse and accessing resuscitation and children's areas at a hospital in Glasgow (BBC News) . SAFE has experience of dealing with a number of similar cases where an unqualified imposter had been found to be working in place of the qualified professional that was expected.