Following a serious stabbing incident in mid-June, where a doctor was attacked at the Psychiatric Center Amager, the Capital Region of Denmark has decided to implement several new security measures at the center. The decision was made at an extraordinary executive committee meeting in the region. Moving forward, there will be security assistants present around the clock and the use of handheld metal detectors, the only type of scanners allowed according to the mental health law for emergency departments. This is part of a pilot program specifically for the Psychiatric Center Amager.
The Regional Council has allocated an additional five million Danish kroner for security in 2024, on top of the 19 million kroner granted earlier in the year. The aim is to enhance the protection of staff, following an incident where a 29-year-old doctor was stabbed by a 31-year-old patient. The police have confirmed that it was a doctor-patient relationship.
Regional Council Chairman Lars Gaardhøj (Social Democrats) stated that he had previously been skeptical about the use of scanners, but the safety of employees takes precedence. In addition to the specific measures at the Psychiatric Center Amager, rules have been implemented that apply to the entire Mental Health Services of the Capital Region of Denmark. Moving forward, two employees must be present at all patient consultations in the emergency department, and all exterior doors must be locked in the departments in the evening and at night.
These security measures have been introduced to prevent similar incidents in the future and to ensure a safe working environment for all staff members.