Peoplesafe Hosts NHS Roundtable on Lone Worker Technology Adoption

Health & Safety and Security leaders within the NHS gathered at Peoplesafe headquarters in Epsom to discuss adoption and usage of lone worker technology within the NHS.

Tackling Misconceptions Around Tracking

The perception among staff that lone worker technology is a form of surveillance is one of the most common barriers to adoption.

Attendees agreed that this is often a “smokescreen” for reluctance to engage with the system. Peoplesafe emphasised that neither they nor NHS managers have the time or capacity to monitor staff locations. Instead, GPS tracking is solely used to ensure accurate, rapid response in emergencies.

Demonstrating to staff exactly what managers can and cannot see was highlighted as an effective way to build trust.

The Administrative Burden

Managing a lone worker service across a large NHS Trust can feel like a full-time job, with constant staff movements, leavers, and joiners.

Peoplesafe highlighted the availability of Account Managers and Customer Success Managers to support administrators, as well as the option to integrate HR systems with the Peoplesafe Nexus platform to automate user management using an API.

Archiving staff on long-term leave was also suggested as a way to improve reporting accuracy and usage statistics.

Defining “Good” Usage

The group discussed what successful adoption looks like. Peoplesafe considers 70% usage across an account a strong benchmark, though NHS Trusts face unique challenges with part-time staff and varied lone working patterns.

Encouraging consistent habits – whether staff are lone working or not – will help build Peoplesafe into the routine. It’s important to ensure that everyone is doing the basics i.e. if they have a device that it is charged, switched on and with them; if they have an app that it is downloaded on the phone and logged in.

Alternative strategies that were mentioned included treating lone worker technology as essential PPE, and therefore making its usage mandatory similar to wearing gloves or face masks. Ideas such as gamification, reward schemes, signage reminders, and health and safety workshops were also explored as methods to encourage usage.

Overcoming Fear of Raising the Alarm

Some staff remain hesitant to press the SOS button, worried about “bothering” the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) or not knowing what to expect.

Roundtable participants shared best practice, including live demonstrations during training sessions to demystify the process. Peoplesafe stressed that unlike 999, their controllers are there to triage alarms and support staff, and accidental activations are part of the learning process.

Balancing Safety with Battery Life

Another concern raised was the impact of the Peoplesafe app on mobile phone battery life. Testing shows the app consumes around 2% per hour during active use, comparable to other everyday apps.

Adjusting location update intervals can help extend battery life, though this comes at the cost of less frequent location data. Attendees agreed that clear communication about expected performance and practical tips for managing battery usage are essential.

Building a Culture of Safety

The roundtable concluded with a shared recognition that technology alone is not enough. Success depends on consistent messaging, leadership buy-in, and creating a culture where lone worker safety is seen as integral to everyday practice. As one attendee noted, “It’s about making it second nature.”