“Pioneering use of video” confirms Tracey Edwards as Security Manager of the Year

Tracey Edwards, Head of Security for Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, was praised for her innovative approach to video as she was awarded the Security Manager of the Year in the 2020 Security & Fire Excellence Awards.

A series of benchmark video projects – part of the most ambitious surveillance upgrade ever undertaken in the NHS – contributed to the major awards recognition for Tracey. The judges of the 2020 Security & Fire Excellence Awards recognised her pioneering approach to improving care outcomes for children and young people with complex mental health needs.

As well as noting Tracey’s strategic use of video surveillance, the award also recognises her voluntary contributions to the wider field of mental healthcare security, and her efforts to improve understanding of mental healthcare issues with various police forces.

The series of video infrastructure upgrades, using end-to-end solutions from IDIS, part of a rolling programme that began in 2018, includes both new builds and refurbishments. The aim has been to ensure that a complete, high-definition video record of events at the trust’s care facilities is reliably stored and easily searchable, speeding up incident investigations and underpinning improved clinical standards.

To deliver these projects, IDIS has partnered with a number of leading systems integrators, including Galeco Communications, ISD Tech, and Triple Star Fire & Security.

Together, they have been implementing end-to-end solutions incorporating 12MP fisheye cameras, full HD IR domes, and failover-protected, cybersecure storage. Comprehensive area recording has transformed surveillance – with no events missed and no blind-spots – without the cost of 24/7 live monitoring.

“I was delighted to commend Tracey Edwards for this award, in recognition of her commitment, hard work and leadership in contributing to the continuing transformation of care services at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust,” said Alison Edmundson, Head of FM Governance and Performance.

“For three years she has been an ambassador for change, working with determination in sometimes difficult circumstances.  Through her leadership she has made security and crime prevention a new priority at the Trust, and this has supported our clinical teams in delivering improved standards of care for vulnerable young people – in short, she is helping to make a positive difference to many peoples’ lives – in some cases, literally life changing – and therefore she is a very worthy winner of the Security & Fire Excellence Award.”

Jamie Barnfield, Sales Director, IDIS Europe, welcomed the award: “It’s great to see this independent recognition of Tracey Edwards’ work to improve safety and security standards at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust. It’s been an honour for IDIS and our integration partners to use our video expertise to help improve care for young people with complex mental healthcare needs.”

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